news&views Summer 2020 | Page 39

ervation e, and with that comes a new set of aware of water conservation, as is in our hands and is our responsibility Mulching is another efficient way of conserving water. A 5- to 7.5-centimetre-deep mulch under your plants will go a long way toward helping to conserve whatever moisture is in the soil. The type of mulch is very much a personal decision. There are commercial mulches available; one of the best is shredded cedar bark mulch. You can choose to lay down a landscape fabric first to keep the weeds at bay and then spread the bark mulch on top for a very neat and tidy look; or, do as I do and just lay the bark right on top of the soil. I find that the cedar bark mulch breaks down very slowly, and I just add a few centimetres of fresh mulch every year to maintain the level. Mowing your lawn at a proper height can also be a great way to conserve water. Environment Canada recommends cutting the lawn to a height of 6.3 to 7.6 centimetres to help with moisture retention