Doing More With Less

It just doesn't get this hot and dry in Oregon. We might get a week of 100 degree days, but never anything like what we are currently experiencing in Central Texas. Now, more than ever, I think it's time we all rethink how we landscape our homes and businesses. It just doesn't make sense to have all that lawn when you can plant lovely natives that are interesting and attract wildlife. The added bonus is that they don't require all that water to keep them going - which makes them easy on the pocketbook too.

Today I was at my local nursery taking advantage of their end of summer sale. I was buying grasses, herbs, and earth kind roses to install in my lawnless landscape. I had a great conversation with another customer who was telling me what he was doing to cut back on water. He also had gotten rid of his lawn and was planting more natives instead. He has installed rain barrels to grab water from the gutters. He also has a pan in the shower that captures water that would otherwise just run down the drain. I told him about taking cool baths and then saving the water to irrigate my patio plants. We laughed and both were glad that we weren't the only people doing this.

From Yard makeover

Yeah, you make think people like us are nut jobs. But I love sitting on my porch watching all the birds taking advantage of the work I've done. I like knowing that I am adding diversity to the plant life in my neighborhood. I enjoy watching the dragon flies, butterflies, toads and geckos that visit me regularly. And yes, I'm a little smug about my water reclamation projects. But a girl's got to be proud of something, it's hard work bailing out that tub!