Preserving Rain Water for your Landscape

Did you know that rainwater contains minerals that stimulate plant growth and it is salt free? Desert soils contain a large amount of salt which also leads to high levels of sodium in our water. This results in a build-up of salt in the root zones of our plants and can ultimately damage the plants in our landscape. When the summer monsoons or the winter rains come our plants get a large dose of much needed salt-free water. The rain helps to push the salt away from the plants roots and results in a beautiful, happy plant. Many of the desert trees, bushes, and even cacti will bloom after a rainfall. Drive around after a nice rain and notice desert plants such as the Bird of Paradise, Sage Bush, or Arizona Yellow Bells. They will all be covered with beautiful summer flowers. Notice the Ocotillo plant will produce red/orange flowers at the top and green leaves all over the stems. Many of these low-water succulents will green up and perk up after a nice rain.

How can we harvest this water on the rare occasion that we actually get rain in Arizona? Water harvesting stores and diverts the excess water from rooftops, patios, etc and directs them to the garden. Installing gutters, downspouts, and pipes can channel the water away from the house and to the yard. Trenches can be dug in the land to direct water and slow the flow so it can be absorbed or redirected, rather than going to the storm drain. Basins, berms, water wells can all be dug out to hold the water in naturally low areas of the yard. This water can then be absorbed in the land or used elsewhere in the landscape.
Check out our blog on Water Harvesting for ideas on how to do this.

Excerpts of this Article Courtesy: Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine