Water-Wise Gardening Practises

Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants

Opt for plants that thrive in your region's climate with minimal watering. Native species and Mediterranean plants are excellent choices for Southern Vancouver Island as they are adapted to local conditions and require less water. See some CRD-region specific plant recommendations below.

Water Deeply but Infrequently

Aim for long, infrequent waterings to encourage deep root growth rather than shallow surface roots. This will ensure the water is reaching deeper soil layers, where it will act as a water reservoir for your plants.

Mulch to Retain Moisture

A layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, straw, or shredded bark, helps reduce evaporation, keeps soil temperatures consistent, and suppresses weeds. Apply a 2-3 inch layer around plants, leaving a small gap around the base to prevent rot.

Water Early or Late

Watering in the early morning or late evening reduces evaporation and allows plants to absorb water more effectively. Deep, infrequent watering encourages root growth and makes plants more drought-tolerant.

The CRD has recently changed their suggested irrigation timing to between 4am-10am or 7-10pm. For more information you can check out the CRD Regional Watering Schedule.

Install Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to plant roots, minimizing water waste. These systems are efficient, easy to install, and particularly effective for garden beds, vegetable patches, and ornamental borders.

Harvest Rainwater

Rain barrels are an excellent way to collect and store rainwater for use during dry periods. Place barrels under downspouts and use the stored water for plants, reducing reliance on municipal water.

Group Plants by Water Needs

Design your garden with 'hydrozones', which is when you group plants with similar water requirements. This ensures that watering efforts are targeted and efficient, reducing overall consumption.

Improve Soil Quality

Healthy soil retains more water, plain and simple! Enrich your soil with organic matter like compost to improve its water-holding capacity and provide plants with essential nutrients.

Limit Lawns

Lawns are among the most water-intensive parts of a garden. Replace portions of your lawn with native ground covers, drought-tolerant grasses, or permeable hardscaping to reduce water use.

Image Source: swansonsnursery.com

Where to Get Started with Water-Wise Gardening

Start small by adopting one or two practices and gradually incorporate more as you see the benefits. By implementing water-wise gardening techniques, you can create a resilient, beautiful garden that aligns with your region's environmental values.

For more guidance on sustainable gardening practices, I offer personalized garden consultations meant to help homeowners enhance their landscape resilience.

Water-Wise Plant Suggestions For Vancouver Island

Native Plants

• Red-Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)

• Oregon Grape (Berberis aquifolium & nervosa)

• Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)

• Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

• Goldenrod (Solidago lepida)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Mediterranean Plants

• Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

• Fig Trees (Fiscus spp.)

• Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

• Thyme (Thymus spp.)

• Sage (Salvia officinalis)

• Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Ornamental Perennials

• Sedum (Sedum spp.)

• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

• Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

• Gaillardia (Gaillardia x grandiflora)

• Catmint (Nepeta racemosa)

Ornamental Grasses

• Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca)

• Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora)

• Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima)