This is the first report of the sustainability series initiated by the Countryside Garden Club. Each of our members will participate in reporting a subject of their choice.

Need to sustain the species responsible for the care of our landscapes.

• Use deciduous trees on south side of our home to create summer shade and evergreens on north side to stop winter winds.
• Water efficiently – use soaker hose or drip irrigation – water directly to root zone preferably in the morning – avoid sprinklers – water infrequently but deeply to encourage deep roots.
• Group plants with similar water needs.
• Reduce storm water runoff by using rain barrels and/or rain gardens.
• Stabilize stream banks or pond edges using water-loving plants that reduce soil erosion.
• Stabilize slopes with ground covers.
• Reduce or eliminate lawns!!!
• Minimize the use of impervious surfaces so rainwater can be filtered before reaching storm water system.
• Choose drought-tolerant plants, except in wet spots.
• Weed regularly – because weeds compete for water with the plants we want.
• Let lawns go dormant in summer.
• Mulch.
• Compost.
• Adopt low maintenance techniques such as:
  • Relying on trees and shrubs
  • Planting in sweeps and masses
  • Use simple curves around landscape beds
• As sustained gardner, we increase local plant and animal diversity while creating the air and filtering water– so gardening benefits the environment more than we may have thought!!