Conserve Water: Backyard Actions for A Cleaner Chesapeake Bay - Maryland Department of Agriculture

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conserve
Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay...
Become a Water-Wise Gardener Make Every Raindrop prompting backyard
(continued) gardeners to keep an
Count—Use Water Wisely
Don’t water the driveway or other paved surfaces. Make water eye on the sky while
certain sprinklers are aimed in the right direction and Farmers know the importance of conserving water, practicing water conservation techniques in
that runoff is directed toward vegetated areas.
not only during periods of extreme dry weather, earnest. If you rely on the garden hose to keep
Help prevent surface runoff. Don’t apply water faster
than it can be absorbed. but throughout the growing season and beyond. your lawn green and your garden lush and
During drought emergencies, check with the Maryland Just as most of us are taught from childhood not attractive during dry conditions, consider the
Department of the Environment at 1-800-633-6101 as to waste food, water conservation is similarly
well as your local health department to learn whether following water-wise tips.
you may use recycled or “gray” water from laundry or ingrained in the farmer’s psyche.
dishes on gardens.
Purchase a rain barrel equipped with mosquito netting Coping with Drought Conditions
Farmers use a variety of methods to conserve water.
to store rainwater runoff from down spouts.
They know that soil composition plays a key role
Learn more about Xeriscaping, a method of gardening Protect the Chesapeake Bay
that uses drought tolerant plants and a combination in helping plants cope with drought. The clay soils
of practices to reduce water usage. Visit the Home and
that are found throughout much of Maryland can
Garden Information Center’s web site listed below to
Like farmers, homeowners
download a fact sheet on Xeriscaping. harden and become brick-like under prolonged hot,
play an important role in dry, sunny conditions. To conserve moisture and
protecting our soil and water reduce evaporation on sun-baked crop fields, Be aware of water restrictions in your area. Watch
or listen for news reports or contact the Maryland
resources, especially the farmers leave the stalks and leaves of harvested Department of the Environment (MDE) at 1-800-
Chesapeake Bay. This series crops on the ground to create a type of natural 633-6101. Drought information and restrictions will
also be posted on MDE’s web site, mde.state.md.us.
of fact sheets highlights mulch for newly planted crops. This practice, known
Obey both voluntary and mandatory restrictions.
as conservation tillage, can reduce evaporation by
various conservation If outdoor watering is restricted and you are limited
up to 35 percent. Winter cover crops of rye, wheat to using a hand-held container or hose with an
measures—best management
automatic shut-off valve, establish a priority system
or barley also help farmers conserve water. They
practices—that farmers use for your plants. First, determine which landscape
help slow down rainwater runoff, control erosion, plants are most susceptible to water stress. Large
to produce healthy crops and shade trees and mature shrubs can usually fend for
and recycle leftover nutrients remaining in the soil
themselves unless they begin to show signs of wilt or
protect water quality in the after the summer harvest. When lack of rainfall their root systems have been recently disturbed.
Chesapeake Bay and its threatens the survival of a crop, farmers rely on 1. Newly planted trees and shrubs should be
given priority.
tributaries. Homeowners can high-efficiency irrigation systems that are designed
2. Perennials, fruit trees, and vegetables are next
apply these same conserva- to minimize evaporation and maximize the amount in line.
tion measures to home, lawn, of water that reaches a crop field. During the past 3. Established turf, ornamental grasses and
annuals should be placed at the bottom of
several years, many areas of Maryland have
and garden projects. Working your watering priority list. These are usually
experienced persistent drought conditions, drought tolerant.
together, we can make a
difference for the Bay. For
Office of Resource Conservation University of Maryland Extension more information on ways to
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway Home and Garden Information Center
Annapolis, MD 21401 12005 Homewood Road improve your lawn or garden
410-841-5863 | mda.state.md.us Ellicott City, MD 21042
5
1-800-342-2507 | hgic.umd.edu and protect the Bay, contact
Financial assistance provided by the Coastal
Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended,
administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal
the organizations listed on
Resource Management, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). the back panel.
Martin O’Malley Anthony G. Brown Earl F. Hance Mary Ellen Setting
Governor Lt. Governor Secretary Deputy Secretary Maryland Department of Agriculture
MDA 15.09.11 | Recycled paper

2. PLANT SMART Give Landscape Plants, Shrubs,
Use native and beneficial plants that grow here naturally and are adapted to Maryland's climate and soil types. The plants and Trees a Fighting Chance
shown here may need watering until they are established or during extended dry periods, but they should hold their own
Watch for signs of stress caused by drought. Wilted, curled,
in most Maryland backyards with minimal care and maintenance. Contact your local nursery or the Home and Garden
dull, yellowed, or brown leaves and undersized fruits and
Information Center (HGIC) for additional suggestions.
vegetables are signs of thirst.
Use mulch to help plants retain moisture and reduce
evaporation. A two-inch layer of mulch or compost is
PERENNIALS recommended. Too much mulch will prevent water from
reaching plant roots.
ADAM’S NEEDLE BLACK-EYED BLUE WILD GREEN AND
YUCCA SUSAN INDIGO GOLD + Condition your soil. Water does not easily penetrate clay soils
The Grass Isn’t Always Greener Yucca filamentosa Rudbeckia hirta Baptisia australis Chrysogonum and passes too quickly beyond plant roots in sandy soils. Mix
virginianum in organic matter to increase the penetrability of clay soils
Many species of turf naturally go dormant during the hot, and the water-holding capacity of sandy soils.
dry summer months. It is not necessary to water grass that
Water landscape plants early in the day to reduce evaporation.
has gone dormant. The grass will green up once the rains EASTERN OR NEW ENGLAND SOLOMON’S SEAL TICKSEED
Avoid watering at night—it promotes disease.
return. Here are a few more tips to help see your lawn through WILD COLUMBINE ASTER* Polygonatum SUNFLOWER*
the inevitable dry spells that we experience in Maryland. Aquilegia Aster biflorum Coreopsis If you must water at night, keep water off plant leaves.
canadensis novae-angliae tinctoria
Create a shallow depression around newly planted trees and
Don’t select grasses that need a lot of water. Tall fescue
shrubs to catch and hold water.
is both drought and pest-resistant. Call the HGIC at
1-800-342-2507 or visit hgic.umd.edu for recommendations.
SHRUBS/GRASSES
Mow the grass higher than usual to prevent scorching,
reduce weed problems, shade the soil, and conserve
Become a Water-Wise Gardener
AMERICAN PINXTERBLOOM NEW JERSEY TEA* RED OR BLACK
moisture. BEAUTYBERRY AZALEA* Ceanothus CHOKEBERRY Don’t waste water; repair leaking
Don’t walk on grass that has been stressed by drought. Callicarpa Rhododendron americanus Aronia arbutifolia, hose connections.
americana periclymenoides A. melanocarpa
This will further damage the grass. Footprints and a blue Use a rain gauge to monitor rainfall
grey appearance are signs that a lawn is thirsty. and apply additional water to plants
If you must water your lawn (and watering of grass is only if needed.
SOUTHERN SPICEBUSH** WITCH HAZEL SWITCH GRASS
not prohibited), do so early in the day with a sprinkler. ARROWWOOD* Check the soil in your garden or flower bed before watering.
Lindera benzoin Hamamelis Panicum
As a rule, water less often for longer lengths of time. Viburnum virginiana virgatum Wilting plants are not always thirsty—they could be getting too
Avoid frequent, light watering—it promotes shallow dentatum much water. Using a screw driver, dig 4 to 6 inches to see if the
root growth and encourages weeds. soil feels moist and cool. If so, leave it alone.
Aerate your lawn to reduce soil compaction and help Shut off the hose when moving between plants or purchase
water penetrate more deeply into the ground. a water wand with a shut-off valve.
S M A L L / M E D I U M / O R N A M E N TA L T R E E S
Don’t reseed or fertilize your lawn during the summer Invest in a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to further
dormancy period. Late summer or early fall is the best AMERICAN WHITE DOWNY EASTERN conserve water. Slow, steady watering at the root area reduces
time to reseed lawns (between August 15 and October HOLLY FRINGETREE** SERVICEBERRY** REDBUD** evaporation substantially.
15 for Central Maryland). Ilex opaca Chionanthus Amelanchier Cercis canadensis
Turn off automatic, timed sprinklers when it rains and when
virginicus arborea
Fertilize lawns between September and December, as rainfall has been plentiful.
long as the ground is not frozen. Never fertilize if heavy (List continued on back panel.)
rain is forecast.
It is unnecessary to apply fertilizer to lawns
SHADE TREES
in the spring. Doing so may contribute to
nitrogen runoff. BLACK LOCUST** CHESTNUT OAK* COMMON PIGNUT
Don’t plant grass where it won’t grow. Robinia Quercus prinus PERSIMMON * HICKORY*
Grass is not always the best choice for pseudoacacia Diospyros Carya glabra
virginiana
steep slopes, shady areas or walkways.
Problem areas will only get worse
during dry conditions. Plant ground
covers instead. PIN OAK* RED MAPLE PITCH PINE* WHITE PINE
Quercus palustris Acer rubrum Pinus rigida Pinus strobus
Perform a soil test in the fall and follow the
recommendations to improve your soil. Soil testing
information and soil sample bags are available by calling
the HGIC at 1-800-342-2507 or visiting hgic.umd.edu.
Photo Credits
+ Courtesy of Horticopia
* ©USDA, NRCS@PLANTS
** ©William S. Justice, Smithsonian Institution@PLANTS