With the drought, which plants do you advise to plant?
That is an excellent question. For a few years now, we have been experiencing a drought in the area that limits us in the selection of plants we would like to use. We are forced to adapt to plants that can survive in these conditions. Ultimately, in our company, we try to avoid wasting the customer's money and also to ensure customer satisfaction. We know exactly which plants will not survive under the current conditions. We firmly believe that part of our job as a company and as professionals is to advise the client on the best plant options. We are currently designing and planting gardens using plants that are indigenous to the area, which are very hardy and require very little water, such as oleander, lantana (available in various colours), rosemary (both creeping and shrubby), lavender, roses, among others.
So when is it the right time to do it?
This is a difficult question to answer. In a normal situation, it is planted during the month of March, when there is a balance between rain and mild temperatures. The aim is to allow the plant to develop its roots so that it can withstand the strong summer heat. In the event of a lack of rain, it was always possible to compensate with automatic or even manual watering. However, with the exceptional drought we are experiencing at the moment and the restrictions on the use of irrigation water, the best thing to do is to wait and see how the year evolves, to be ready to act quickly if the rain comes.
And the grass?
As for the lawn, we have also had to adapt to the new needs. We have replaced the conventional grass with "grama americana" or kikuyo. Although this grass may not be as aesthetically appealing or as soft to the touch as conventional grass, it is able to withstand extreme drought. Moreover, if it receives a little rain, it regains its green colour, unlike conventional turf, whose drought-damaged areas would require reseeding. It can be sown a little later, as a little more warmth is better for it.
If this exceptional situation becomes the new normal, what would you advise us to do? Would it not be appropriate to invest in rainwater harvesting from roofs, for example?
You never know and we should all be aware that water is a valuable resource and should not be wasted. However, we know that these phenomena are cyclical, and that, while periods of drought used to return every 20 or 30 years, nowadays they tend to return at shorter intervals. But when it comes to choosing a type of garden and the plants that go with it, we have to think that years with water and cold will return, and that, for example, the cacti that would go perfectly with the current situation cannot withstand this type of climate. In the end, both with our gardens and on a more general level, we have to be more agile when it comes to adapting.
Thank you Adrian for your time and your valuable advice.
Adrián López +34 659 14 10 61