Mediterranean??
- To:
- Subject: Mediterranean??
- From: C* D*
- Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2000 19:07:03 -0700
I've been having some discussion with some of my fellow volunteers about
the "handling" of a mediterranean garden. I have some strong opinions and
would like to get approval or refutation from any of you.
We have a fledgling botanical garden. It is intended to have plants from
the five mediterranean areas of the world. I'm under the impression that the
reason they chose that theme was because we live in one of those five areas
and growing mediterranean plants would mean less maintenance eventually
because they should grow here as our plants do and as these foreign plants
do in their home area.
So, in my opinion, when we plant a mediterranean plant, we should start
off watering it but after probably six months we should have tapered off to
where it can fend for itself!
We should recognize that they need a dry time.
Trees and bushes should start off by being watered deeply, probably
starting at a foot and then down to the length of the water probe, probably
2-3 feet. This watering should be prolonged, perhaps at least an hour, and
infrequent, perhaps bi-weekly at the beginning and taper off to monthly and
then every other month for a maximumof six to eight months.
Fertilizer can be applied in the first couple of waterings but should be
tapered off and finally eliminated.
This will bring their roots down to lower layers where some moisture can
be had throughout the year.
I have objected to their weekly hand waterings with a hose sprayer. This
is surface watering which will encourage surface roots which in turn gives
them low wind resistance and drought vulnerability. Also this sets up a
system that will need permanent watering.
So, I have proposed, as above, that only new plants should be watered
and those should be watered deeply and infrequently and finally tapered off
to no added water at all.
They are even watering the cactus garden!!!
I would appreciate your opinions about this. ---Chas----
