Recycling Rain

Predictions of an increased chance of an El Nino this winter have me thinking about how best to advise my clients on capturing rain water for recycling in the garden.

There seem to be two schools of thought on rain water. One is that it is our enemy and needs to be removed from our property as quickly as possible. The second is that water is our friend, and we need to capture it and let it sink back into the soil. Clearly, moving it away from the house is important, but shipping it out to the storm sewer system causes problems in the ocean and wastes a natural resource.

Seeing rain water in this positive way, and adapting our approach to our landscaping projects is also known as Rain Water Harvesting, and in his book of the same title, Brad Lancaster, outlines several techniques that we recommend here at The Yard Fairy.

1. Create planting beds that are lower than walkways and patios (hardscape) so that water drains from them into the soil, giving the plants extra moisture....

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Diane E Downey is the owner of The Yard Fairy Inc, a North San Diego County based award winning landscape design and installation company creating low water, low maintenance landscapes that are as functional as they are pleasing to the eye. To arrange your consultation with The Yard Fairy, please call 760 804 1661 or email info at yardfairy.com today.