Published by City Farmer, Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture
The City of Vancouver's
Waterwise Garden
A more current version of these pages can be found at the City of Vancouver's Water Conservation Landscaping Homepage.
Copyright (C) 1996 City Farmer
Developed by M. Ross Waddell (B.E.S, M.E.S)
Environmental Design/Research
2012 William Street, Vancouver, B.C. V5L 2X6
TEL: (604) 255-5719 FAX: 258-0201
Water Wisdom
The City of Vancouver Water Conservation Program
Two hundred years ago, Captain George Vancouver's ship Discovery sailed
towards a land of towering coniferous trees, flowing streams and leaping
salmon. The city of Vancouver was founded in the midst of this place --
Pacific Coastal Temperate Rainforest -- where trees grow large through
typically cool, wet winters. Much of the forest and streams that once
were found in Vancouver have since been destroyed. The rain endures,
however, and sometimes it seems to Vancouverites that it will never end
...
The Pacific Coast, however, is not always wet. Summers in the Northwest are often extremely dry and then one is reminded that water is an essential element of life. There are often great demands placed by homeowners on the city water supply at these times. By working with the land in a more sensitive manner that is water-conserving, Vancouverites can ensure that fresh water will continue to flow well into the future.
The City of Vancouver has developed its Water Conservation Program to educate citizens about the principles and practices of natural cultivation of the land that conserves water. These methods include contouring of the ground, soil conditioning using compost, collection of rain water, the use of native plants, and passive watering. Rediscovering the importance of water to life in Vancouver will help us to cultivate a society that is water-conserving ... and waterwise.
Follow the Land
- by
attending to its form and observing the rain as it falls onto it. The
contours of the land can be changed to catch the rain water, slow its
flow, and hold it in the ground for use by plants.
Care for the Soil
- by
adding compost to improve its condition. Compost -- decomposed organic
matter -- will help the soil to hold the rain water when it falls and
will add nutrients necessary for plant growth. Mulches will prevent the
soil from overheating drying out.
Gather the Rain
- by
catching it in rainbarrels when it falls and holding it for later use.
The rain water that is collected costs nothing and it can be used in the
garden during the summer when the ground is dry.
Plant Naturally
- using
species that are native to this land. These plants are naturally
rain-watered and are adapted to wet winter and dry summer conditions.
Plant only those that have been grown in the nursery from collected
seeds or cuttings ... leave the wild plants in place in their natural
habitat.
Water Wisely
- with a
gentle hand and passive watering methods. Use a watering can which
softly sprays water onto the plants or a soaker hose which will slowly
drip water into the ground when it is needed. Many plants that are
adapted to dry summer conditions do not need much water a few years
after planting.
Tend Patiently
- by planting
with a sparing hand and bearing in mind that the plants will become much
larger. Plants that grow in dry summer conditions will use the
nutrients that occur naturally in the soil and in the compost that is
added to condition it.
Share the Fruits and Spread the Seeds
- by gathering the crop and sharing the harvest within the community. Spreading the fruits of our labour and sowing the seeds of a water-wise society, will ensure that our city will be a healthy one with food and water for all.
For More Information on the Water Conservation Program Contact:
City of Vancouver
Engineering
Department
Waterworks Design Branch
453 West 12th
Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4
Water Conservation Hotline
Tel: (604) 871-7350
Visit:
The City of Vancouver/City
Farmer
Water Conservation Demonstration Garden
2150
Maple Street (at 6th Avenue)
Vancouver, BC V6J 3T3
Or Visit the
Garden on the Internet:
www.cityfarmer.org
Plants in the City of Vancouver Waterwise Demonstration Garden
Native Plant Nurseries and Seed Suppliers in British Columbia
Waterwise Garden Resources: Organizations and Books
