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Don't be "Bugged"
by
All Garden Insects
 Many
of the bugs found naturally in a healthy garden eat
huge numbers of harmful pests. These beneficials include
ground beetles, dragonflies, lacewings and ladybugs,
which can eat over 5,000 aphids in a single lifetime.
The use of pesticides can often eradicate all insects,
including the beneficial ones; and affect water quality.
Poor water quality and pollution can, in turn, lead
to the elimination of important flora and fauna species,
resulting in less diversity in delicate ecosystems.
Conversely, a dragonfly’s huge appetite can result
in an average daily diet of 300 mosquitoes! And while
you’re sleeping, ground beetles can crunch to
bits, pests such as snails or slugs! So before you run
off to purchase potentially harmful insecticides, consult
the most complete on-line source of information on a
variety of pest control problems at www.ourwaterourworld.com,
or come by the TCSD office and pick up your very own
resource guide. But don’t hesitate because guides
are limited to supplies on hand.
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Wanted:
Sustainable Gardens for Spring Tour
Do you have an outdoor conservation area
that can be included in this year’s Garden Tour
Project?
Templeton Community Services District, in partnership
with Atascadero Mutual Water Company, is looking for
a few resource-friendly gardens in North County to be
included on the Water-Wise Garden Tour planned for next
spring. The ideal garden(s) would feature some/all of
the following elements for efficient resource use outdoors.
These elements include:
-
 A
carefully thought-out design that considers
sun exposure throughout the various seasons, and
an overall shape that easily accommodates sprinkler/drip
irrigation systems with little waste or over spray
onto hardscape areas.
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Appropriately selected plants,
that are well suited both for our dry Mediterranean
climate, (drought tolerant) and to each other, based
on similar watering and exposure needs. (This can
significantly improve water efficiency.)
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Permeable hardscapes, such as flagstone walkways, brick patios etc., in
lieu of large areas of poured concrete. (Flagstones
or other materials, when set in sand or crushed
granite, allow water to pass back through to the
soil, rather than routing it to gutters and storm
drains where it is carried downstream and lost.)
-
Mulch in flower beds and
around shrubs to reduce weed growth, water evaporation
and soil erosion.
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Limited turf areas or an area featuring turf substitutes such as low-growing
groundcovers or short ornamental grasses. (The traditional
turf/lawn area is the most water thirsty feature
one can have in a landscape.)
-
Wise irrigation practices,
using drip irrigation wherever possible, sprinklers
with adjustable heads or even a rain recovery system.
(A well thought-out irrigation plan insures that
your landscape gets only that amount of water it
truly needs and that only vegetation gets watered.)
So whether you’d like to share a completely
sustainable landscape, or only a single element, like
a deck made from recycled timbers or a great composting
operation, we want to hear from you! Just contact Michelle
Costa, Water Conservation Coordinator at 434-4914 to
discuss how your special area of outdoor conservation
can be included in the Garden Tour Project this year.
Water conservation in the garden…
can you dig it?
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Go Nuts For Compost
 Looking
to boost the nitrogen content of your compost to make
it even more beneficial for your plants? Save the shells
from all the peanuts your family consumes and work them
into the compost pile. The shells will decompose easily
and are a terrific source of nitrogen.
Breakfast Makes The Best Compost
 Coffee
grounds offer another way to add nitrogen to compost and
their ability to retain moisture also helps keep the pile
from drying out. Just dump the grounds on top of the pile.
Alternatively, bolster the quality of your compost by
tossing onto it an occasional handful of grapefruit, orange
or lemon rinds. In addition to nitrogen, these will provide
the phosphorus and potassium that healthy plants need.
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 Splendid
Water Wise Exhibit
in the Community Garden
Templeton CSD wishes to thank Deborah
Mills, Plant Health Care Consultant and Landscaper,
for all of the hours she has recently donated to our
new Sustainable Landscape Exhibit, located in the Templeton
Community Garden behind 601 S. Main Street. Deborah
not only designed and installed the water-wise exhibit,
but also donated the beautiful plant materials and drip
irrigation system for it. Stop by the Community Garden
and see how she is transforming a bare rocky corner
into a colorful and peaceful area for reflection!
You Too Can Help!
Contact Deborah at 302-7470 or Michelle Costa at
434-4914 to learn more about how you can donate
time or materials to this exciting project!
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