With the decrease of available water and the increase of water regulations, it has become almost too easy for gardeners to surrender their gloves and shovels to the drought that has been scorching the state for four years with no foreseeable end.
However, before those with green thumbs begin to view ripping out their precious flowerbeds and uprooting their favorite trees as the only course of action left, The Greenery Nursery and Garden Shop in Turlock is here to save the day with several tips to help combat the drought.
“The Greenery has worked hard to be a resource for gardeners in all seasons—wet and dry,” said Marketing and Events Manager Adria Afferino.
Although it may strike many as obvious, one piece of advice emphatically offered by The Greenery is to only water when the need arises.
“For some reason, most people overwater their plants,” said Afferino. “The Greenery has worked hard over the past several years to educate gardeners on proper and efficient watering techniques.”
In addition to only watering when necessary, The Greenery advises gardeners to mulch their plants. According to Afferino, a three-inch organic mulch like compost can save up to 30 percent of water use.
“Mulch is so important—not only to keep the soil moist, but cool as well,” said Afferino.
With the drought stressing the need to use less water less frequently, The Greenery also urges gardeners to check their irrigation systems to issue needed improvements or replace altogether.
“Drip systems are a great way to go and are exempt from the City of Turlock’s watering restrictions,” said Afferino. “However, drip systems are often operating improperly.”
According to Afferino, drip lines should run for hours instead of minutes since they only put out a small amount of water at one time. With the proper use of drip systems, gardeners effectively are allowed to water less frequently.
For those worrying about keeping their lawn green, The Greenery also advises to water deeply and mow lawns at higher settings, which produces long grass blades that effectively shade the soil and conserve soil moisture.
“There is no reason why—even with watering days in Turlock reduced to twice per week—that you can’t maintain a lawn,” said Afferino.
Aside from tips, The Greenery offers a number of additional resources no matter what season. Gardeners can turn to The Greenery for many resources, including education, plant material, select supplies, and services to help prepare, adapt, and grow their gardens.
“The Greenery is ready with all the tips to conserve water, but still maintain a yard,” said Afferino. “Back in 2008, we wrote several free informational WaterWise guides and they still apply today. They can be found on the California Friendly page on our website or picked up in the nursery.”
Other resources offered by the Greenery are landscape consultations, landscape installations, and irrigation consultation and time reset services. Information on these services can be found on The Greenery’s service page on the website or by picking up a flyer in the nursery.
For those looking to expand their garden with drought-resistant plants, The Greenery has also partnered with a new plant supplier, Mountain States Wholesale Nursery in Arizona, to provide “Desert Adapted” plants in addition to a few natives that use less water.
When it comes to “Desert Adapted” favorites, Afferino listed Melampodium, which she describes as a “darling little plant” with daisy-like flowers; Desert Museum Palo Verde, a tough, thornless, fast-growing tree with yellow flowers that are in bloom through the entirety of the hot season; Lynn’s Legacy Leucophylum, a sage green bush that Afferino refers to as a “showstopper when it blooms with masses of lavender flowers in spring;” and the Pink Parade or Brakelights Hesperaloe, which have “shocking flower spikes.”
Additionally, those looking to get more in depth advice are invited to three upcoming seminars at The Greenery.
Mountain States Wholesale Nursery will be hosting a seminar on May 16 at The Greenery, wherein which a representative will provide more information on a number of plants included in the shop’s “California Friendly” section.
According to Afferino, although the event is free, she urges those interested in attending to reserve their seat.
Following Mountain States Wholesale Nursery’s seminar, The Greenery will also host two additional seminars entitled, “Water Management, Drip Systems, and Lawns” on May 30 and May 31. The first class at 10 a.m. will discuss basic practices to manage water more efficiently and discuss the use of drip systems. The second class at 1:30 p.m. will discuss lawn care during the drought.
“These are things to consider about reducing or eliminating lawn areas and ways to go about converting or eliminating lawns,” said Afferino.
The Greenery Nursery and Garden Shop is located at 742 E. Olive Avenue in Turlock. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call 209.632.4214.