Re: Rain Dances
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Rain Dances
- From: C* P*
- Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 14:41:18 EDT
In a message dated 8/4/99 11:38:14 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
GARDENGUY0@aol.com writes:
<< I just got my watering system working to run my washing machine water to my
woodland shade garden. If the soap doesn't kill it all it looks like it may
be the way I need to go.
I used a plastic 33 gallon can and I'm draining my machine into it. I've put
a sears sump pump I had in it. Then hooked it up to my 150 feet of sears
hose. I had to go out and buy another 100 feet of cheaper hose so I can reach
all my woods and shade plantings! I pray GOD It all works. I have spent
Hundreds of dollars on this garden since we moved in 1.5 years ago. The
wildlife has come so It's worth it; But the food plants and shelter plants I
bought are wilting. I hope this helps. Bruce >>
Hello Bruce,
Take heart, all people who work with the soil need to understand the cycles
that take place overtime. One and one half years in a garden is just the
beginning. Some years it rains too much and plant diseases of all kinds are
a problem. Those are the years when you learn about drainage or maybe your
lack of it.
No matter what you plant, in ten years time you will not want those plants.
You will become more sophisticated and move on to cultivars and genera that
are more of a challenge. When a plant dies, whatever the cause, you can
justify a new one (whatever the non-gardener in the house says). I think you
will also find that some plants looking quite stressed now will return next
spring in good condition, hydrangeas do.
There does not seem to be anyway a pleasure gardener can combat the drought
conditions of the east coast. You cannot pour enough water on large areas,
mulched or not, to compensate for the lack of rain. I sat in a car waiting
for my hsband yesterday watching a city resident spraying water, airborne,
into hedges and lawns. This is such a waste. Would I have that water
available I would use it much differently.
My husband who built houses says that grey water systems are not the answer.
In our area they are code violations unless accompanied by a complex filter
system. You might want to check the properties of grey water on you plants.
My point is that the drought has despressed all of us in the garden but the
conditions will change in years to come. There is gardening that can be
satisfying in whatever condition - using containers that are controllable
with a watering can, investigating plants that are drought resistant and like
your conditions, keeping high maintenance beds very near the house where you
can concentrate the care.
A for instance is spruces. I learned years ago that all of the native
spruces will grow in upstate New York on soils that are nearly gravel banks.
A good many of the conifers around our grounds are spruces. Look around your
neighborhood and make a note of what is doing OK and keep those plants in
mind.
If I had informed myself more thoroughly when the garden was young, I would
have avoided lots of plants marked with burial crosses. Do not be too upset,
looking for answers is the best way to get started.
Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
z4
