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Although the water ban in Ottawa creates some new challenges for gardeners, the subject of water shortages is certainly not new. Which is, strangely enough, good news, as our industry has collected bucket loads of information, solutions, ideas and tips that will help you continue to garden this spring and summer.
We are making this wealth of information available to you free of charge at the links below. Also, please see the Ask an Expert page under the "Extras," menu for answers to your questions!
Like all advice, gardening or otherwise, there will be varying opinions, often relating to local conditions - it's important that during the gardening season you stay in touch with local horticultural experts that can help guide you through the process. Again, to help you with this, refer to the lists of local companies linked below.
The big picture
If your heart was set on a large landscape project this year, don't get discouraged! Sitting down and working out a plan with a landscape designer and/or contractor is the first step, and solutions can be found to any specific problem. It may mean working on the hardscape components first, such as walls, patios, decks, driveways etc., and leaving the softscaping - plants, lawns etc. until water can be trucked in or the restriction has been lifted. In actual fact, this is usually the way a well executed landscape project is installed anyway! Sometimes it's just reassuring to comfort zones to get the planning down on paper.
Existing gardens
It always amazes me how resilient plants are, how they can adapt to changing conditions and tough times, including drought. Plants have built-in mechanisms to deal with dry situations. Responses can be as simple as the leaves of evergreens curling up to protect the stomata, or breathing holes on the underside of foliage to cut down on water loss from within the plant, or lawns going into a semi-dormant state until water is available.
It appears Mother Nature is here to work with us - we just need to recognize the signs and signals. Again, they have been documented over the years and we are happy to share the findings with you.
Rain harvesting
Although rain harvesting is a relatively new term, the word harvest is interesting, because the farming community has recognized the value in collecting and storing the free gift of rain water for centuries. Cisterns and underwater tanks were always part of our agricultural heritage. Many companies have worked hard at creating new methods, techniques and products that allow modern-day urban farmers (that is, gardeners) to also take advantage of the free gift of rain water.
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Gardening during a water ban gives us an opportunity to assess basic principles, types of soil mixes, positioning of plants, the study of sun and shade patterns, uses of mulch, types of containers and more. It's like doing an audit of your garden, which is a great exercise in understanding our gardens and investing in their future.
Grandma knew best
I often remind people of our grandparents' times, when bath night meant the tin bath tub in front of the fireplace, and what they did with the water afterwards; quite likely it was tossed out onto the vegetable or flower garden outside the kitchen door. Nowadays it might be too much of a stretch to think that your young kids could take some little plastic buckets of water after their bath time to water the veggie garden, but I bet they would have fun.
Sometimes it is the little things that can make a big difference. After dinner, perhaps, the leftover drinking water and ice cubes could be used for the window box, instead of being poured down the sink. I am sure if you set your mind to it, there are dozens of other ways you can think of to redirect leftover water for use in your garden.
Working in harmony, I think we would all agree that the pleasure and benefits we derive from growing our own food, enjoying colorful gardens, and playing on green spaces, far outweigh some of the extra effort needed for gardening during a water ban. Working in harmony with your community, industry professionals and Mother Nature is definitely the best solution. And just like all successful gardening projects, you need the right tools! We are happy to provide those tools in the form of information on these pages, and support via the resources below.
Local professionals who can help:
- Ottawa area garden centres
- Ottawa area maintenance companies
- Ottawa area irrigation companies
- Ottawa area landscape contractors
- Ottawa area lawn care companies
- Ottawa area tree experts
- Search for Ottawa area landscape professionals
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Ask the Master Gardeners:
Telephone Help Line: 613-236-0034
Wednesday and Thursday 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. (all year)
Saturdays 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (April through September ONLY)
E-mail Help Line: mgoc_helpline@yahoo.ca
Local educational events:
- Gardening with Drought in Mind: Xeriscape Principles & Water-wise Gardening Tips
May 17, 2011 - 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: Gardening expert Phil Reilly
Manotick Arena, upstairs hall. Sponsored by Councillor Scott Moffatt and the Manotick Horticultural Society, with the support of Councillors Jan Harder and Steve Desroches. - How to keep your garden thriving through a water ban
May 19, 2011 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Speakers: An overview of the trend towards water conservation, Denis Flanagan, Landscape Ontario
Rain Harvesting, Nicholas Bott, The Pond Clinic
Gardening Through a Water Ban, Ed Lawrence
Q&A Panel Discussion
Stonebridge Golf & Country Club, 68 Hawktree Ridge, Ottawa - How to keep your garden thriving through a water ban
May 25, 2011 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Speakers: An overview of the trend towards water conservation, Denis Flanagan, Landscape Ontario
Rain Harvesting, Nicholas Bott, The Pond Clinic
Gardening Through a Water Ban, Ed Lawrence
Q&A Panel Discussion
Rideau Vally Conservation Authority - Gardening During a Water Shortage: Solutions
June 13, 2011 - 7:00 p.m.
Speaker: Edythe Falconer, Master Gardener
Ruth E. Dickinson Branch, Ottawa Public Library, 100 Malvern, Barrhaven, Ontario
Pre-register by calling 613-580-2424, ext. 30353. - More Gardening with Less Water: Long Term Approaches
June 21, 2011 - 2:00 p.m.
Speaker: Edythe Falconer, Master Gardener
Ruth E. Dickinson Branch, Ottawa Public Library, 100 Malvern, Barrhaven, Ontario
Pre-register by calling 613-580-2424, ext. 30353.