EMBRACE XERISCAPING AND WATER-CONSCIOUS GARDENING IN THE SOUTH OKANAGAN
While we are enjoying our smoking hot weather some of our landscaping plants in our gardens are really starting to feel the heat.Heat stress causes many ornamental plants to loss their buds and blossoms or fail to bloom altogether, leaving your landscaping devoid of colourful blooms. Consider having a Xeriscape garden or landscaping bed.
Xeriscape, refers to landscaping with water conservation in mind.
The first step in successful gardening is to know your zone. Plant hardiness zones in the South Okanagan are important not only for home gardens but all of the fruit growers in our Valley. While we have ideal growing conditions it is important for Okanagan’s to be aware of the low temperatures that we do experience.
Most locations in the South Okanagan are 7a or 7b zones. Consider planting some of these native plants in your garden.
Allium cernuum – Nodding Onion Amelanchier alnifolia – Saskatoon
Arctostapholus uva-ursi – Kinnickinnick Arnica fulgens – Orange Arnica
Artemesia tridentata – Big Sagebrush Aster conspicuus – Showy Aster
Aster ericoides ssp. pansus – Tufted White Prairie Aster
Chrysothamnus nauseosus – Rabbit-brush Elymus cinereus – Giant Wild Rye
Gaillardia aristata – Brown Eyed Susan Heterotheca villosa – Golden Aster
Heuchera cylindrica – Round-leaved Alumroot Holodiscus discolor – Ocean Spray
Philadelphus lewisii – Mock Orange Pseudoregneria spicatum – Blue Bunch Wheat Grass
Take up the challenge
As in years past, the Make Water Work challenge encourages homeowners to take the pledge to make water work smarter on their landscapes.
By heading to the website and pledging to choose plants suitable to our dry environment, you will become eligible to win one of two prizes of $500. The pledge encourages you to make better choices about your water consumption so there will be enough water for firefighting, aquatic health and agriculture. It only takes a moment to make your pledge.
It is important to know your district’s water restrictions and abide by them. Currently, Penticton is in Stage 1 water restrictions from May 1 - August 31 every year in response to increased outdoor water use and
warmer,drier spring and summer months. Watering restrictions include: Odd numbered street addresses may irrigate on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday only.
As of August 13, 2022, the District of Summerland is currently under stage 1 watering restrictions.
For Even Numbered Addresses:
If your house number ends in a 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8, the following restrictions would apply depending on the Stage that has been implemented.
Stage 1 Restrictions
You may use your sprinkler for lawns, trees and shrubs on Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday only.
You may use micro-irrigation, drip irrigation or a hose with a shut-off nozzle to water trees, shrubs or vegetables on any day, at any time.
Residential Underground Irrigation Systems can only water between the times of Midnight - 6 A.M. on Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday.
Osoyoos
Represents low water supply conditions for local area. Water use restrictions are necessary to sufficiently reduce water demand. Intended to reduce water use by roughly 20%. If triggered by drought, represents moderate drought conditions.
Watering two days per week.
Even address: Tuesday & Saturday
Odd address: Wednesday & Sunday
Lawn, Aesthetic Garden Watering and Plants For sale (manual sprinklers): Watering allowed between 6am-10am and 7pm-12am.
Lawn, Aesthetic Garden Watering and Plants For sale (automatic timer sprinkler systems): Watering allowed between 12am-4am
Warmest regards,
Deborah Moore
Broker Owner
RE/MAX Orchard Country
Market Updates for 2024