Ocean Friendly Gardening Tips
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., April 15, 2015—Today, the United States is experiencing severe weather events, including super storms, tornados, floods, and droughts, which have been wreaking havoc across various regions and disrupting the daily lives of countless individuals. While these events will become more severe and frequent as the climate continues to warm due to human activities and natural phenomena, fresh water has become an endangered resource in many states, raising alarming concerns about long-term sustainability. Indeed, integrating ocean-friendly gardening tips can help address these issues. With dwindling supplies and the growing competition for access to clean water, communities are increasingly facing challenges in managing this vital resource, highlighting the urgent need for innovative conservation measures and public awareness campaigns to address the looming crisis and safeguard the future of our environment.
Surfrider Foundation promotes Ocean Friendly Gardening Tips
The Surfrider Foundation (surfrider.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches. Besides, receiving ocean-friendly gardening tips might interest you, as the foundation believes it’s important to build climate resilient infrastructures. They aim to provide sustainable measures to protect and manage the nation’s freshwater resources and safeguard its oceans.
“Numerous local and state governments are passing stricter mandates, and offering incentives, to conserve water and prevent polluted runoff,” says Paul Herzog, Coordinator of the Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Gardens program. “Residents and business owners have a serious role to play, from the way they use water indoors to how they landscape.”
Gardening Uses 70% of residential Water
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, up to 70 percent of residential water use happens outdoors for watering lawns and gardens. Turf grass is one of the most water-intensive plants in a landscape. Even worse, people tend to overwater their lawns and gardens by more than double the amount needed. So, when considering gardening tips, ocean-friendly ones can significantly help to reduce this issue. This excess water, including that from broken sprinklers and rainwater, runs off the property and into the street. It picks up pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, automobile oil, brake pad dust, and exhaust before going untreated into storm drains that lead to the ocean.
Urban Runoff Equals Ocean Pollution
Since urban runoff is the number one source of ocean pollution, the Surfrider Foundation launched its Ocean Friendly Gardens program in 2009. The program provides hands-on solutions, do-it-yourself workshops, and community events. These are for people who want to learn how to turn their water-wasting, ocean-polluting lawns and gardens into beautiful, economical, low-maintenance, and high-impact landscapes.
“Not only does an Ocean Friendly Garden reduce water usage on a property by 80 percent, it provides lasting benefits for the surrounding community. It decreases the amount of runoff entering our waterways and oceans,” adds Herzog.
This spring, Surfrider encourages the public to help conserve water and protect their communities and oceans. They can do this by applying CPR – Conservation, Permeability, and Retention – to their landscapes:
Conservation
Remove your turf. Replace it with an Ocean Friendly Garden of native plants to conserve water, eliminate chemicals, and help restore your yard’s natural habitat. By transforming your landscape in this manner, you not only contribute to a healthier environment but also create a vibrant ecosystem that supports local wildlife. This brings back the birds, bees, and butterflies, benefiting both nature and your senses. Native plants with deep roots absorb and store the most water, reducing runoff and maintaining soil moisture during dry spells. Furthermore, they require less maintenance and are resilient against local pests and diseases, leading to a flourishing, low-impact garden that thrives throughout the seasons. Embracing this change fosters a deeper connection with nature and enhances the beauty of your outdoor space.
Permeability
Build healthy and biologically rich soil by adding organic compost to it. This will allow it to act like a sponge, soaking up water and filtering pollutants. Then apply 3-4 inches of mulch on top. Mulch holds in moisture, suppresses weeds and is food for the soil organisms (that feed your plants). Soil and plants also help to reduce climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
Retention
Direct your rain gutters and downspouts into your dry stream-beds and basins. This will slow, spread, and sink rainwater. A rain barrel can also help slow the rainwater, while you can use a hose to direct the overflow into your landscape or garden.
Finally, Surfrider’s chapter network works with residents, businesses, landscape professionals, and local and state governments. Since the program’s inception, 150 Ocean Friendly Gardens have been installed. Ocean-friendly gardening tips have been shared and more than 3,000 people attended Ocean Friendly Garden-based activities in their communities. To learn more, get involved, and also be part of the solution, visit surfrider.org/ofg.
Be sure to check out Paul Herzog Ocean Friendly Gardens Earth Month blog series. His tips can truly benefit your gardening practices.
