Shopping for Water

Another interesting idea is to use a market-based approach for supplying water in California and the West. In May, Michael Krazny interviewed Professor Robert Glennon on Forum (KQED) – Water Expert Calls for Market-Based Solutions to Supply Shortages. Glennon is professor of law and public policy at Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona, and co-author of the 2014 report "Shopping for Water: How the Market Can Mitigate Water Shortages in the American West."

In “Shopping for Water”, Glennon and his coauthor explore the history of water in the Western United States. Basically, there is not enough water available to honor the water rights currently held (in fact, there never has been). Our whole system for water collection, distribution, and use needs to be overhauled, with consideration for all stakeholders (including the environment, farmers, business, and individuals). They offer some ideas for policy changes.

Glennon feels water is currently too cheap, so there is no market incentive to conserve water, or make wise water use choices. He proposes a more regulated approach, which is more equitable and enables stakeholders to choose how to use their water allocation. For example, a farmer may decide it is more profitable to leave a field fallow for a year, and sell the water he would have used to another stakeholder (under the current practices, you must use the water or lose it). A similar approach was implemented in Australia ten years ago, and has been very successful for handling their ongoing water shortage.

The program highlights the complexity of the water use issue. Glennon is quick to point out that we shouldn’t villainize agriculture and farming – we need them! In fact, a surprising amount of water is used in other sectors. By looking at the problem from a combined regulated and market-based point of view, we would change our priorities, and habits for how we spend out water.

Dry Farming

This year we’re following the drought in California. The snow pack is dwindling, the aquifers are being drained, and more and more people are competing for limited water. In response, we’re looking for ways to change how we garden. It won’t solve the greater problem of collecting and distributing water for multiple commercial, aesthetic, and personal interests, but it may help. Scientist recently offered hope that El Niño could bring rain this winter, but we still need sustainable solutions that extend beyond the next season. Until the rains and innovations come, I’m on the hunt for interesting ideas.

This story about dry farming in San Luis Obispo (SLO) grabbed my attention this summer; I heard it on The California Report: In Face of Drought, San Luis Obispo Farmer Advocates Dry Farming (by Lisa Morehouse for California Foodways, June 28, 2015). Dry farming relies only on rainwater. This is the old fashioned way of farming, using smarts, luck, and prayer. No irrigation.

Dry-farmed walnut trees in SLO (photo by Cynthia Wood/KQED)

 

Jutta Thoerner and Cynthia Douglas grow walnuts on Manzanita Manor Organics in SLO, using only rainwater. They use a variety of techniques for preparing the soil, grafting and planting trees, and retaining water in the soil; and maintain that the nuts are smaller but more flavorful. Mike Cirone dry farms fruit in SLO, and has a cult following of buyers for his small, sweet apricots and apples. Morehouse reports that a lot of crops are dry farmed across the state – wheat and grapes; tomatoes (Central Coast); potatoes (Marin); and squash (Humboldt). Dry farming works especially well in coastal and foggy areas, with good soil. Very inspiring – I think I’ll order some of those walnuts!

You can also read the article online: http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2015/06/28/in-face-of-drought-san-luis-obispo-farmer-advocates-dry-farming 

Where to Shop: California Natives

In the last few months we've decided to swap out our lawns for a drought tolerant alternative; researched native plants that thrive in Bay Area conditions; and spotted interesting dry garden examples. Now we need some plants. Luckily, we have some excellent native plant sources here in the Bay Area. Nurseries are one option.

Nursery	Details
Berkeley Horticultural Nursery	This nursery has been at the same Bay Area site since 1922, and has grown along with its community. "Berkeley Hort" carries a full line of plants, including California natives. Check the website for new arrivals, edibles, speakers, demonstrations, and plant care information. Address: 1310 McGee Avenue; Berkeley, California 94703; (510) 526-4704 Web: http://berkeleyhort.com/index.html
Annie's Annuals and Perennials	Annie Hayes, a former Berkeley Hort employee, started this nursery in the 1980s. They carry annuals and perennials, from all over the world, and California. Plants are sold in four-inch starters, to insure healthy roots, and useful plant care information is available.   Address: 740 Market Avenue; Richmond, CA 94801; (510) 215-3301 Web: http://www.anniesannuals.com/
The Watershed Nursery	This small nursery specializes in native plants, and restoration projects. They grow their plants in deep containers for healthy roots. Plant lists are published on their website. Check availability before you go, or order plants online and pick them up once they are available.   Address: 601 A Canal Boulevard; Richmond, CA 94801; (510) 234-2222 Web: http://www.watershednursery.com/
Bay Natives Nursery	This nursery, on Pier 96 in the Port of San Francisco, offers rare and endemic plants from the Bay Area, and drought tolerant plants from across the state. View their extensive online catalog for ideas, and order plants for pickup. They do not ship, but can deliver large orders (and they have parking)!   Address: 10 Cargo Way; San Francisco 94124; (415) 287-6755 Web: http://www.baynatives.com/

HTML Tables

Another source is the native plant sales held periodically at colleges, universities, and botanical gardens. For example, Merritt College hosts spring and fall plant sales, as does University of California, Berkeley. San Francisco Botanical Garden offers a plant sale most months.

Even hardware stores and nurseries offer native plants. You may need to march past the brilliant petunias and marigolds that beckon, to the back of the plant section, where you find the small-leaved, muted colored natives. But that is changing as gardeners get savvy about the drought, and distributors begin to offer exciting drought-tolerant plants.

Dry Gardens in the Bay Area

I am always on the hunt for alternative, dry garden ideas here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I think a lot of people are, because I am finding some really interesting, creative replacements for the obligatory lawn.

Bark is big. You can cover your dead lawn with bark to preserve the top soil, and help retain water in the soil. Plant shrubs, grasses, and ground covers in the fall to give roots a chance to establish; as the plants mature, the bark is not so dominating. Bark comes in a variety of sizes and textures from small to large, and smooth to shreddy, and comes in colors, such as red, brown, and black. The bark breaks down into the soil, so you do need to replenish it periodically.

Landscaping with bark

Rocks and gravel can perform the same function. They also come in multiple sizes and textures. Large, rounded rocks can look stunning, as can small flat smooth stones. Gravel can be used as a dry stream bed, and planted with seasonal plants, like self-seeding California poppies. A large rock used in isolation, or a group of rocks, adds variety and emulates nature. Some yards implement a “mixed media” approach – using native ground covers and plants, interspersed with hardscape such as railroad ties, slate, cement, rocks.


Landscaping with gravel

I miss the lush green lawns, but love seeing how landscape designers and home owner are coming up with alternatives. Some designs may be transitory to get through the drought, others are innovative and change the way we approach our yards.