CONSERVATION CORNER

SPECIALTY ITEMS FOR WATER CONSERVATION

Artificial Turf - There are a number of artificial turf products on the market and recently a couple have become available through local retailers in the Big Bear Valley. The benefits of artificial turf are low maintenance and no watering. The one minor negative associated with these products is their relatively high installation fee. However, long-term financial savings may be substantial.

DriWater - DriWater is a time-release water product that may be extremely helpful to part-time residents of the valley. Planting plants that need regular watering can be risky for individuals who may be gone for 2-3 weeks. DriWater may provide a way to improve the survival of such plantings by slowly releasing water while you are away.

Soil polymers - Soil polymers are small crystals or balls that absorb as much as several hundred times their weight in water, keeping moisture available to plants much longer than typical soils. This can minimize plant stress, extend time between waterings, and keep water and nutrients in the root zone.

All of these products are potential water saving items that may interest gardeners and landscapers in the Big Bear Valley. Contact your local nurseries or contractors for more information about these products.

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