Page 41 - BRN April 2021

Water storage systems don’t have to take up space. Cisterns of more than a thousand gallons can be buried in the yard. This one is fed by rain water from the roof of a garage. Rain water is best for many plants. It does not have the chemicals often associated with drinking water nor the salts which are often in the ground water.
garden. Your yard also has different aspects and microclimates and so having more tanks gives you more flexibility in watering needs.
For your own enjoyment in the gardens, add a rain chain or two instead of a standard downspout pipe. This brings a pleasing sculptural element into garden design. Direct the rainwater into a beautiful pot which also anchors the chain. Drill a hole in the pot bottom and install a 3” drain grate attached to an underground drainpipe; from there you can direct the water to some thirsty plantings.
It is also important to have several water sources available for wildlife. These can be on the ground or a birdbath style which can be fed by an irrigation emitter. This brings me to the last and most conventional water source – the hose bib and drip irrigation. A simple drip irrigation system, running off a battery- operated timer, is straight-forward and inexpensive to install. This is quite necessary to get your native plantings established. It will provide the consistent, supplemental water needed to encourage roots to grow deep and to get the plant, in a few years, to as near a native situation as possible. This also is an easy way to run wildlife water into a few basins here and there consistently. The consistent re-freshening of the water is important as well.
Many of our beloved creatures like moving water better than just a filled bowl. If you build a simple water feature with a short drop, it will not only add a lovely melody to your garden, it will always be a focal point for wildlife.
You now are aware of some tools to help add that essential ingredient, water, to creating a habitat garden. I have covered these in general terms only to make you aware of them. For more information, go watch the many tutorials that are available on the internet. You can learn much more about each of these tools for water use. One of the best teachers, however, is hands- on experience. You will go through some trial and error until you have found the best solutions for your site.
I hope this article points you in the direction most useful to add water for creating the habitat garden of your wildlife’s dreams. We are part of a community of living beings, so when we do our part, the community benefits in many ways. Enjoy your new splash of nature.
The Homegrown National Park website has many useful tools for you to access in making, and caring for, your planting decisions.
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