Meadows and the Drought
How to help your yard weather the water shortage
by Harry Booras
M assachusetts, and much of the Northeast, are in a state of severe drought. You don ' t have to be a farmer or gardener to experience how dry everything is. As water restrictions have been imposed by many communities, once plush green landscapes are now reduced to dull expanses of thatch.
There are exceptions, however. Homeowners that have deep water private wells often continue to use their sprinkler, keeping chemically enhanced lawns green and lush. But even these reservoirs of fresh water are feeling the strain of the drought. It ' s only a matter of time before, as in California and other places, ground water will be regulated. After all, like breathable air, clean water is a basic human need and access to it should be a right. The monoculture that is necessary to maintain a classic American lawn is not sustainable in our ever more crowded planet. More and more people throughout the world are feeling the effects of diminishing fresh water resources, caused by many reasons, including climate change, overpopulation, and deforestation.
The turf grass industry in the US is huge. Hundreds of billions of dollars are spent each year by homeowners, governments, schools, private and public entities on installing and maintaining turf for many uses: work, play, and aesthetics. But the cost to the limited supply of fresh water resources could be much worse. Some scientists predict more severe water shortages within the current generation.
Free growing forests, meadows, wetlands and other natural settings will also survive extended periods of dry weather. You can see plenty of color and a wide variety of wildlife in landscapes both wild-growing and those sustainably maintained by conscious property owners and land stewards.
Native plants adapt to dry conditions- even thrive- and provide a nurturing environment for pollinators and other beneficial insects. Meadows also attract arachnids, toads, bats, birds and various small mammals. All of these species live in a synergetic ecosystem that works, even in stressful conditions.
A sustainable meadow, one that does not rely on fertilizers, pesticides, and extra water to keep its flora and fauna in balance, is a good thing, especially now that we’ re experiencing extreme drought across most of the region. Fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides are potential pollutants, as they leach off treated lawns and end up in the watershed. Eventually they build up and cause all sorts of problems, on land and in the oceans.
So what can you do to keep your meadow in good health during extreme dry spells?
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Offer a little water: In times of extreme drought, small animals, birds and insects often find it difficult to find sufficient moisture to get through the day. Put out some water, like a birdbath or fountain, making sure not to let the water in it get stagnant, to avoid mosquito breeding.
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Keep it in balance: Many invasive plants will try to move in, so it’ s important to keep them under control, or they will overrun your meadow. Keep them in check by digging them out and not allowing the seeds to develop year after year. You’ ll never get rid of all of them but at least maintain some balance between the invaders and the natives. Mow a couple of times a year, leaving the clippings to decompose, returning nutrients to the soil.
A meadow needs little and gives a lot.
GROW! BOSTON
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