MORE THAN PLANTS AT WATER-WISE PLANT FAIR

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By Miriam Raftery

Flowering perennials from Daylily hill
Maic Palmiere of Crest displays baskets and jewelry made from pine needles

March 14, 2009 (El Cajon) — Birdhouses, eco-friendly jewelry, and water-saving wizardry awaited visitors at the Water-Wise Plant Fair, held today at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. If you thought low-water landscaping means gravel and cacti, think again. An abundance of flowering plants and shrubs on sale offered visitors a wide array of beautiful yet water-saving alternatives to water-hogging plants and lawns.

"These are made from pine needles," said artist Maic Palmieri, standing beside a display of dazzling earrings and other jewelry. Nearby, Vince McGrath displayed a collection of hand-made birdhouses. Elsewhere, vendors touted everything from earthworms to composting information.

Display shows flowers, fruits and vegetables grown vertically in Hydrostackers

Helen McBrady displayed Hydrostackers, Styrofoam planters arrayed vertically. The practice has caught on among commercial growers of crops such as strawberries, with farmers discovering they can maximize yields and minimize water usage in an era where higher water rates and possible water rationing looms. Her display booth also featured information on other water-saving options, such as rain cisterns and use of bamboo, a fast-growing wood that replenishes itself every several years. A sign at the booth proclaims, "It is believed that if bamboo were planted on a mass basis, it could completely reverse the effects of global warming in just six years."

Birdhouses by craftsman Vince McGrath

Children enjoyed making paper box planters, while their parents chatted with experts on a variety of topics. Sponsors also held a raffle for prizes including a free landscape redesign—a coveted item among homeowners in today's era of water shortages.
For information on upcoming water-wise events and more, visit our calendar of events—and check www.thegarden.org.

 


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