Planting Wildflowers Saves Water
Hello Friends!
I’d like to share with you something I did in my yard that has made a world of difference; I swapped out the monochromatic rosemary bushes for a kaleidoscope of wildflowers. Every morning when I look out and see not only the gorgeous flowers but all the fluttering butterflies, buzzing bees and birds that now call my garden home, it makes me so happy. There is an abundance of life in my little garden and it is providing food and shelter to wildlife. I can’t tell you how many little bouquets of flowers I have put together to decorate my house or for impromptu gifts. There is something so special about cultivating flowers from one’s own garden.
Another thing I love about my wildflower garden is that since it’s on a drip system, I am using very little water to maintain it, and because wildflowers have deep roots that aerate the soil, very little water is lost. Wildflowers are so efficient that it is possible to only water them every 3-4 weeks, depending on the conditions where you live. Water is a precious resource, and in California we especially don’t want to waste it since we are experiencing on-going droughts. A typical lawn can gulp down as much as 30% of a household’s water usage! And if you ever are out in the mornings, you will see, much of that water is wasted as it runs onto the sidewalks and streets.
My garden is also low-maintenance, which is a huge added value. There is very little weeding to do and wildflowers can even choke out most weeds! On the other hand, mowing and maintaining grass is a lot of work and usually polluting because of the gas used in some of the mowers and blowers.
Another perk of my wildflower haven is the no-fertilize policy. Using fertilizer to keep lawns green isn’t good for the environment. There are some chemicals in the fertilizers that threaten native grasses and flowers by harming beneficial insects that safely control weeds and unwanted insects. Not to mention, those chemicals go in the run-off water which ends up in the lakes and rivers, harming insects and fish and disrupts the food chain.
Have I convinced you to try a wildflower garden? Or how about a native plant garden? That’s also good! Living in flow with nature is always more eco-friendly. Using what is native to your area is a the best way to help nature thrive. And I promise, the happiness you will feel from your wildflower garden will have you wondering why you didn’t do it sooner.
Here are a few key and easy steps for you to get started:
Find an area that drains well with full sun.
Remove any weeds or grass so they don’t compete with your flowers.
Get wildflower seeds from a local shop, taking care that they are native to your area.
Sow the seeds according to the package.
Cover lightly with soil and mist them.
Water daily until the seeds have germinated.
ENJOY!!!!
