Topdressing.biz News: How to conserve water

Slow the flowhttp://www.oregonlive.com/gardencenter/oregonian/vern_nelson/index.ssf?/base/homes_gardens/111338628388020.xmlConcepts:
plant, water, Gardener, soil, crop, weeds, planting, hoses, fruit, edibles, beds, wind, moisture, irrigation, Vern Nelson.
Summary:
Gardening smart when water is at a premium requires a multipronged attack. For example, soaker hoses and drip irrigation lines release moisture slowly, curbing runoff and drift problems common with sprinklers.Irrigate early in the morning, if possible, so water has a chance to soak into the soil and be absorbed by plants before the day warms up and steals it.I water down the composted areas first, then sow cover crop seed, rake it in and tamp it down with the flat face of a steel rake.Cut the cover crop down when it's mature but still crisp, and leave it in place on the soil to mulch against weeds and moisture loss, and to stabilize soil temperature, or you can dig it in.To boost nitrogen in the beds, plant leguminous cover crops.When you do plant annual edibles, especially vegetables, plant them near the house or where they can be easily watered, such as near hose bibs.If your garden is swept by dry winds, put up porous fencing that winnows the wind, or choose a more sheltered site for planting.It's best to pick the immature fruit off a fruit tree for the first two or three years after planting so that the tree's energy goes to developing a strong root system.It's especially important to do this under drought conditions, as producing large, sweet fruit demands water and lots of plant energy.When soil is low on water, some plants are more prone to scorching, so shelter marginal plants along shade/sun interfaces with shade cloth or other screening material.

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