Farm & Home
By Wade Parker County Extension Coordinator Water Conservation

I presented a program to a local garden club outlining some basic measures we, as homeowners, can take to conserve water. As time goes on, you will probably be hearing more and more about water conservation. One cannot help but hear about the water shortage in the Atlanta area. Unless things turn around soon, water conservation is going to be the norm instead of the exception.

Fall Planting is Best

Fall is the ideal time to plant trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, and other perennials. I realize that this time of year is late for planting, but you will have this information for next year. The reason we encourage people to plant in the fall is that cooler temperatures are less stressful to plants than the heat of late spring and summer because there is less evaporative water loss from the foliage. Plants established during fall require less frequent irrigation and are less likely to suffer sun scorch or heat related stress than those planted in spring and summer. Another advantage of fall planting is that aboveground portions of the plant stop growing and go dormant soon after planting.

Good Soil, Good Roots

An ideal soil for optimal plant health contains pores for good drainage and has good water holding capacity. It also contains some organic matter that supplies nutrients and improves soil structure and texture. A poorly drained or compacted soil can shut down a plant's root system, encourage disease problems, and cause runoff and wasted water.

Amendments Pay Dividends

There are two types of soil amendments: organic and inorganic. Organic amendments come from something that was once alive. Examples are composted yard waste, livestock manure, or peatmoss. Organic amendments:

• Improve the water retention, oxygen infiltration, and nutrient holding capacity of a soil.

• Provide beneficial fungi and bacteria, earthworms, and other living organisms that improve nutrient availability and aeration of the soil.

Inorganic amendments are either mined or manmade. Examples are vermiculite, perlite, pea gravel, shale, and coarse sand. They are used to improve the structure and drainage of a soil. Unlike organic amendments, these products have little nutritional value.

Hold the Fertilizer

Granular fertilizers can dehydrate the roots of newly planted plants. Since plants are already stressed from the planting process, wait until they are established before fertilizing. Once established, lightly sprinkle a complete fertilizer, such as 8-8- 8 or 10-10-10, along the perimeter of the planting hole. Compost incorporated into the soil at planting time add nutrients and does not injure the roots like chemical fertilizers.

Mulch is a Moisture Mizer Applying 3 to 5 inches of mulch to the soil surface is an important step in the planting process. Mulches maintain a uniform moisture level in the soil and prevent weeds that compete with plants for water. Fine-textured mulches, such as pine straw, pine bark mulch, or shredded hardwood mulch, do a better job of conserving moisture in the soil than coarse-textured mulches, like large-nugget bark.

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