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July-Auguust, 20088 Newsletter

Ten Steps to Drought Resistant Gardening

THE DAYS OF REGULARLY hauling out the hose to douse your garden are over, even in regions that once were considered water rich. According to several scientific projections, the parched conditions now occurring in the Southeast and other drought-stricken regions of the country are likely to spread as the effects of global warming take hold. Fortunately, you can take a number of sensible steps in your garden to conserve dwindling water supplies and insulate your yard from an increasingly harsh and unpredictable climate—and lower your water bills in the process. This summer, consider the following:

1. Work compost into the soil around your plants. This increases the soil’s capacity to hold water. Paradoxically, it also provides an antidote for another potential consequence of climate change: increasingly heavy downpours. Climate watchers warning of growing drought conditions also are predicting heavier rains, coming in less frequent storms, in some regions. By promoting water percolation through the soil, compost prevents puddles that can rot plant roots.
2. Mulch your plantings. A 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded leaves or bark placed on bare ground, shades the soil and slows evaporation. As a bonus, it makes the soil more drought resistant as it breaks down.
3. Choose plants that tolerate drought and a wide range of temperatures. Plants that are native to particular regions require less moisture and can help make life easier for stressed wildlife. For example, plants with long taproots, such as butterfly weed, can get through periods of drought with little or no supplemental water. Also consider hardy native shrubs such as amelanchiers (also known as serviceberry or Juneberry), which are found across several geographic regions and produce berries beloved by birds.
4. Minimize and drought-proof your container plantings. These dry out quickly and require much more water than gardens growing in the ground. Put drought-tolerant native plants in your pots.
5. Cut down on mowing and fertilizing. Mowing causes water loss. Mow during the coolest part of the day, and leave the clippings on the ground. Also raise the height of your mower, because taller grass shades the soil, reducing water loss.
6. Let your lawn go dormant. Most turf grasses are adapted to summer drought. When they turn a nice buff brown, they aren’t dead but rather have sent their water reserves down to the roots for safekeeping. Given a bare minimum of water, your lawn will green up again when temperatures cool. Also consider shrinking the size of your lawn and replacing it with a rock garden or a native wildflower meadow, which will require little water after its young plants are established and provide food and cover for wildlife.
7. Use water-conserving equipment. Watering cans, soaker hoses and drip systems minimize evaporation by sending water directly to the soil instead of spraying it into the air. Consider connecting your downspouts to rain barrels to collect water for irrigation. (Check local ordinances for possible restrictions.)
8. Water your plants early in the morning. Water doesn’t evaporate as readily in cooler morning temperatures as it does in the heat of the afternoon. Evenings are cool, too, but water sitting on leaves overnight can cause fungal diseases.
9. Water less frequently but deeply. Frequent, shallow watering leads to weak, shallow-rooted plants. Less frequent, thorough watering encourages roots to grow deeper, where the soil stays moist longer.
10. Put off major planting projects until after severe droughts. Newly established plants tend to require a lot of irrigation.

The above article was written by
Janet Marinelli
National Wildlife Magazine June/July 2008

ELECTION RESULTS

The elections of new officers and directors was held after the monthly board and general meeting on May 19. Our new officer and directors are as follows:

Officers
President - Marguerite O'Connell
Vice President - John Stecher

Directors
Linda Cerwin
Tom Giaimo

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

Our Spring Adopt-A-Highway and Grounds Clean-up was well attended by the most volunteers we've ever had participate. We had 16 volunteers for the higway clean-up with 4 additional volunteers coming to the grounds clean-up. Thank you to the following:

TREE GIVE AWAY

Due to an error in shipping, our trees did not arrive in time for the give away. Then came Linda Cerwin to the rescue. She and her husband Larry planted last years 30 left over trees in their garden for this years give away. Thank you goes to the following who helped: Linda & Larry Cerwin, Butch Yelden, Don & Bonnie Letich, John Stecher, Tom Giaimo.

CANS FOR CONSERVATION

Remember to save your aluminum cans for our Cans for Conservation bin. Cans are to be put into tightly secured plastic bags. Please do not put smaller plastic bags of cans into a larger bag. You will find the bin next to the barn. Place the bags into the containers making sure the door is locked so that woodland critters can't get in. When enough cans are collected, they will be taken to the recycle center. Money collected, will be used to maintain and restock our pond.

4TH JULY PARADE

This will be our 7th year to participate in Antioch's 4th July parade. This also will be our 2nd year to have a booth at Williams Park after the parade to promote our organization. We are asking for volunteers to help at Williams Park or walk in the parade to pass out those cute little plastic frogs to the children. Please call Bonnie at 847-395-2642 if you would like to participate.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Natalie & Tim Fields
Bruce & Patricia Abraham
William & Barbara Hagstrom

A NEW FUNDRAISER FOR NICC

We are happy to announce a new fundraiser for NICC. We are raffling off a 500cc Polaris ATV. Tickets will cost $10 each. If you wish to purchase tickets please contact Ken Golonka at 847-395-3087. We will be selling tickets at Williams Park after the 4th July Parade. The drawing will be held at our Harvest Fest in October.

During the months of May, June, July & August we will have a combined Board & General Meeting on the 4th Monday of the month.

Northern Illinois Conservation Club
2008 YOUTH EVENT
Saturday August 2nd 9:00 AM – 3 PM
Stop by anytime between 9:00 & 3 to participate in the on-going activities

Northern Illinois Conservation Club Antioch, IL
(South of Rte. 173 on Rte. 83, eastside of road, look for the sign)
www.mynicc.org

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Hands-On Firearms Safety & Review
Trap Shooting
Archery Target Shooting
Pellet Gun Range
Bow Fishing Instruction & Shooting
And more...

Shotguns, archery equipment, ammunition & lunch will be provided for all youth & their adult companions. Each youth 6 to 17 yrs old must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or sponsor able to grant permission for the day’s activities. This a great event for scout troops too!

Cost: $5 per youth; includes all the day’s activities and lunch. There is no charge for the adult companions.

For more information contact:
Bill Worth (847) 612-7564
worths@aol.com

Next year it's the 49th Annual Winter Festival
and Fishin' Derby in February, 2009!