Re: Water/Permaculture

> <<Janice, your theory is, indeed, a very good one!  Plants do thrive in nature
> getting "watered by the whim of mother nature".  That is, plants that are
> native to a region and have adapted to the available rainfall of the climate.
> If we all grew only native plants we should not have to supply supplimental
> water.  But it is not that simple because there are microclimates created by
> topography, exposure, soil conditions, and so forth.  Many microclimates exist
> in nature, and even in our yards.  So, in order to have a garden adapted to
> available rainfall, we have to select plants that are not only native to our
> area, but ones that are adapted to the particular conditions in each area of
> our gardens.  With a little research, that isn't all that difficult to
> accomplish.>>
> 
> That is what I do mostly.... but I have found some plants that are good in
> those microclimates are grow well with certain other plants (forming a guild)
> and require little or no extra water or care once established. Permaculture is
> the name of a gardening/living system that shows us how to do that.... 
> Blessings of the Midsummer Season!

Just remember that if you plant native plants, they're not *guaranteed* to
grow well.  I'm not saying that the people involved in this conversation
think that, but I think it's something that should be said.

In nature, plant populations will vary depending on a number of factors,
including weather conditions.  One year it may be very dry, making a
species dominant in a given area.  The next year there may be heavy
rainfall, so another species may become dominant while the previous
year's winner dies back to just a couple of specimens.

So, generally speaking...  The more restrictions that we place on the
native plants in our garden, the less likely that they will flourish.
I'm not saying that they'll all die, but with every step that we take away
from a totally native environment, the less likely that the individual
members of that would-be environment will succeed.

I think I'm rambling, so I'll just stop now...  :)

Chris
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