ButterflyGirl

Glenn ~ I quite agree with you. This "new" Green Movement is just a ressurection of my coming of age time in the 60's & 70's. We were back-to-land people then, going Organic, being careful with our soil, land, water, seeds, etc ~ and the kids today are just learning all of that now. We did what OUR Grandparents did: kept farm animals, used their manure, made compost piles, learned how to save seeds, grew our own veggies & fruits, herbs & flowers. We learned how to garden HELPING nature, not destroying it. The beautiful flowers I grow ATTRACT so many beneficial insects, birds, etc and that keeps my garden in balance... then I do not need to rely on any artificial insecticides.
Back to Glenn's comments ~ Yes, there is NO scientific proof of Global Warming my friends. This is TRUE. Here in Ca. we experience "periodic" droughts... there are several years there is little rainfall, followed by several years of good to extreme rainfall. I live in an area that has Redwood Tree Forests... our "average rainfall" is somewhere between 60-100". Lately, the past 3 years, it has only been 30-40"... and Yes, our Aquafirs (my sp. is horrible) are drying up, at an alarming rate. We are currently on water rationing. So, I am back to my 60's habits: I only shampoo my very long hair about every 3rd day... take really quite showers, or none at all, just little "sponge baths", we wash our hands & rinse our dishes OVER A BIG BOWL IN THE SINK... saving the grey water for some plants!! and on and on.... There are ways to be very conservative with water. I am also doing inventory of what space we have for new food crops. However, I live in a great area of farming people & each day there is a Farmer's Mkt. I can go to & support those great people. They grow much better produce than I do at this time. I grow only a bit - like lettuce & salad things that are much better right from the garden. My lawns are now brown & ugly, by my choice. I am going to install a Water Catchment System in the Autumn, and my Son-in-Law will be able to install this for us. It will provide a storage system for rainwater & pumps to give us back much needed water in Summer for our garden needs. This is the wave of the future! Esp. in the arid Western States, but really, anywhere that you need extra water for gardening. Consider doing this yourselves, using either a system above-ground or under-ground. It all depends upon what is needed.
Meanwhile, enjoy your garden & keep getting inspired to take it to new levels.

opps - almost forgot:
My David Austin Roses won out over my lawns!! and that, my friend, IS my compromise.
I love Cottage Gardens, but YES! I am going towards more drought-tolerant plants each time I do research, design a garden, or go thru the garden centres.

I do Garden Design for a living and LOVE plants. These choices are worth alot of our time and attention as we live thru yet another drought in the West.

I am also praying for rain - as I do each year. Here in Northern California, we are having a very foggy and mostly cooler Summer !~ and I could not be happier, even if it has meant dealing with delayed blooms, and some weird things happening in my own garden.

AND - one last thing: When you do water, it is best to WATER AT NIGHT, perhaps after 5-6 depending on when the sun goes down in your area..... and please, PLEASE, WATER DEEPLY. My father taught me that in the 50's (yes I am older, like Billy - na na na na! yeahh ) and it has been a great lesson to know.
Water deeply, mulch, take care of your plants. The pleasure your garden gives you is worth ANY vacation, ANY time... and don't we all need that right now!!!

Hey Billy! We met in SF @ the garden show... good to see you on-line! My comments: i have let my lawns die each Summer for 3 years due to our West Coast drought... and am wondering what I am doing. The lawn in Summer provides what the English call "lungs" in the garden design. My "lungs" are brown, parched and make me not even want to be in my garden. After reading many comments, this is what I am thinking: find grass that is more drought tolerant, install in Autumn, water until the rains... then fertilize on a REGULAR basis and irrigate on a schedule to prevent brown-out during next year. My lawns are small, my garden is medium size. Usually, I have a high-water table and great water-holding soil. If I still lived w. sandy soil, I would plant CLOVER. This has great potential as a green "lawn" and brings nutrients UP from several feet underground... clover needs only to be mowed about once a month, and you must wear shoes (sandels) as the bees love to pollinate the flowers. it does not take alot of water, maintanance, and looks great year-around. I would also incorporate ALOT OF ORGANIC materials into the soil before making a lawn. The more the better. However, if your soil does NOT hold onto water for long, look into clover or the other alternatives... Thyme, Camomile, Ajuga, make great "lawns" that can be walked on some.... and check out the www.HighCountryGardens.com website for more ideas! ps. if you can support a lawn where you live- enjoy! we love croquet, ball games, laying around, and our grandchildren are learning about frisbee, hitting balls, catching balls, etc :)