editor's note: new, redesigned newsletter.

feature story: climate smart in your garden.

savvy advice: trees...a climate savvy addition.

climate smart tip: deeper, less frequent watering.

Welcome to the newly redesigned Savvy Gardener News!

A big thanks to all of you who completed our email survey. Your feedback helped us understand what's working and what changes we should make to meet your needs and interests. Congratulations to Linda Bullington, Cheryl Gruwell and Joseph Wong, survey respondents whose names were chosen to receive gift certificates to our partner nurseries Swanson's, Sky Nursery and Molbak's.

Water. Soil. Climate. You. Make the Connection

With our cold, wet spring, it's hard to imagine that warmer, drier days of summer could be around the corner. Or it could have you thinking about how our climate is changing and how the timing of the seasons seems to be shifting.

In this issue, we introduce the connections between climate change and gardening. Upcoming issues will delve deeper into specific steps you can take to meet any garden-related challenges it may bring. With our new format, you still will find ideas to keep you connected with seasonal gardening practices, Savvy Advice (formerly called Expert Advice), great online resources and more. As always, we encourage you to pass this newsletter on to friends or family, and we welcome your feedback and suggestions.

Have a wonderful summer in the garden!

There's been a lot of buzz lately about climate change. But what is it, and what does it have to do with gardening?

International scientists agree that the earth's average annual temperature is rising, and that this global warming is due to human activity. Depending on location, these climatic changes may show up as: more frequent and intense storms, extended droughts, higher temperatures, shifts in the timing of the seasons and erratic, unpredictable weather.

What does this mean for your garden?

You already might have begun to notice slight changes in your garden such as later-blooming plants or more pests. In the Pacific Northwest, we likely will experience drier summers and wetter winters, and possible shifts in when seasons typically start and end. This means your plants and lawn may require different care than you've been used to. While we don't know exactly what the future may bring, there are simple steps you can take to make your garden more resilient to change as well as decrease its environmental impact:

Be water smart.

From May through September, water use in our region nearly doubles, primarily for lawns and gardens. Experts estimate that 50 percent or more of this water is wasted due to evaporation, runoff, or simply overwatering. If our summers get even drier from climate change, adopting smart watering practices now can be like taking out an insurance policy for uncertain weather in the future.

To climate proof your garden, water with drip irrigation or soaker hoses; adjust watering to soil, weather, and seasonal conditions; and use tools like watering bags to keep new trees healthy. Remember to check whether your soil is dry before watering, and make sure you are watering more than just the surface. In fall, winter and spring months, you can capture rainwater with rain barrels or cisterns and reuse in your garden later.

Right plant, right place.

During the planting months of spring and fall, buy plants that need the same conditions (soil, light, wind, etc.) of your garden. Also, choose plants that are drought-tolerant and pest and disease resistant. Well-chosen, and placed, plants will require less watering and will be naturally less disease and pest prone. Planting with these ideas in mind will help ensure your plants don't suffer the impacts of climate change.

Build healthy soil with compost and mulch.

Healthy, compost-enriched soil is better at absorbing water, and provides the foundation for thriving plants that are more resilient to disease, drought or insect damage. Healthy soil stores carbon from the atmosphere, helping to reduce greenhouse gases. It also has less need for fertilizers or pesticides (the production of which generates greenhouse gases). Composting your yard waste and food scraps keeps them out of the landfill, where organic materials create methane, a very potent greenhouse gas.

Want more information?

Making the climate connection…

Seattle Climate Action Now (CAN)

National Wildlife Federation Gardener's Guide to Global Warming

Saving water during our dry summers…

Success with Soaker Hoses

Tips for Drip Irrigation

Tips for Making Automatic Sprinklers More Efficient

Linden Mead with the Seattle Department of Transportation has over 12 years of urban forestry experience, helping neighbors lead tree and vegetation projects throughout the City of Seattle.

Trees: A Climate Savvy Addition to Your Landscape!

It's easy to wax romantic about trees. We sit under them to enjoy their shade, we savor their fruit, and we admire their autumn splendor. But just as wonderful is the work trees do for us. Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2)—the primary gas-causing global climate change; retain the carbon (C) from the CO2 molecule; and release oxygen (O2) into the atmosphere. Properly placed trees also can change the microclimate around our homes, providing insulating effects in the winter and cooling effects in the summer. This can reduce your energy use and lower your utility bills.

Buying new trees is an investment that should be protected through smart watering practices. Typically, newly planted trees are under stress for several years after transplanting. Maintaining soil moisture is especially important during this time. Properly watering newly planted trees the first two to three summers will help them re-grow the roots they lost during transplanting, and ultimately, make a big difference in their long-term health and survival.

How much water do newly planted trees need?

A good starting point for determining how much water to use is five gallons-per-inch of tree trunk diameter per week. Depending on the weather and the soil type, more or less frequent watering may be necessary. Your tree's "body language" can help you determine the need for water. If leaves are wilting, or drying on the margins, you most likely need additional water. Feeling or digging down into your soil also will tell you if your tree needs water.

As with most plants, you'll want to water newly planted trees slowly and deeply. Avoid short, frequent watering as it promotes shallow rooting. However, if water doesn't penetrate quickly, you may need to start and stop to allow it to soak in. A layer of mulch will help. Best times are in the evening or early morning to minimize evaporation.

What are the best watering methods?

Watering bags are easy-to-use, efficient and effective for watering newly planted trees. Essentially a drip irrigation system in a bag, the watering bag slowly delivers water directly to the tree's root system over an extended period of time. An alternative approach is to drill several small holes through the bottom of a five-gallon bucket and set it over the root ball of a tree. Filled with water, it will slowly drain, providing water where it is needed.

Soaker hoses also apply water slowly and directly, reducing evaporation. Covering the soaker with mulch will save even more. Or you can use a garden hose turned on a slow trickle to apply approximately five gallons of water over a period of one hour.

Is there such a thing as overwatering?

Overwatering is as bad for newly planted trees as underwatering. Too much water (keeping the soil saturated) can make it difficult for a tree to access the oxygen it needs to survive and may promote diseases. Yellowing and dropping leaves can be a sign of overwatering. Checking the soil before and after watering will help you adjust how much you give.

Any additional tips to help new trees thrive?

Weeding under your trees and mulching with wood chips, compost or beauty bark are important ways to conserve soil moisture and promote healthy trees. Apply mulch to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. But don't pile the mulch against the bark - this invites insect and disease attack. Make sure to lay the mulch at least four inches away from the trunk. Also, it is better to fill the planting hole with the existing, native soil rather than adding compost to the planting hole. Fertilizing newly planted trees is NOT recommended.

For free garden advice and information, please contact the Garden Hotline at (206) 633-0224 or help@gardenhotline.org or visit www.savingwater.org.

We welcome your suggestions. Please share them by emailing Liz Fikejs, Seattle Public Utilities.

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Photo and garden credits: Garden tour photo from Jennifer Carlson of Haven Illustrated.