Due to our lack of fall and winter rains we are in a drought. In Wimberley the main source of tap water is the Trinity aquifer. Our limestone karst rocks beneath the soil have recharge areas where rain water seeps back into the underground pockets that make up our aquifer.
Our population has grown and that means more people are depending on the water in our aquifer. Therefore it is important that we all strive to conserve water.
Because our plants have not received their usual rainwater it might be tempting to put in a sprinkler system. Sprinkler systems spraying water into the air waste water but there are ways to avoid the need for a system.
Native plants are able to survive with the typical variable rainfall we receive. It has been suggested that one of the best things you can do for your environment (including climate change) is to ditch your lawn. You can still have a “grassy area” for people and dogs to play in, but use straggler daisy (also called horse herb) or native grasses which come and go with the rains. Ditching your high maintenance lawn not only reduces the need for water but also reduces pesticides and fertilizer which can pollute our water system.
If you have no special need for a play grassy area, consider landscaping with native plants including grasses. Our local nurseries are well stocked with native plants and are happy to assist you to find native plants that would meet your landscape needs.
Perhaps you are planning a vegetable garden which will surely need water. The Master Gardeners recommend drip irrigation to most effectively water your vegetables.
I have also found that using large containers (such as old wheelbarrows or large plastic planters) allows me to enrich the soil (add compost) and reduce water usage easily.
Plants love rainwater and collecting rainwater from the runoff of your roof is a great way to reduce the use of aquifer water from your tap and provide your plants with their favorite liquid.
Written by Jackie Mattice, Hays County Master Naturalist
