fertilizers | Cameron & Cameron

US Drought Monitor 2013 Long, hot summers in California—especially in the interior valleys—tend to spread worries and fears across the state. That’s because running low on water makes farmers everywhere question how well their crops will do and how much money they stand to lose as a result of irrigation water cutbacks.

According to AgAlert, “the season’s final survey of the Sierra Nevada snowpack … found only 17 percent of average levels. At the same time, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reported its water transfer pumps in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta were operating at about 20 percent of capacity, due to the dry conditions combined with restrictions intended to protect fish species. San Luis Reservoir, a summer supply pool for both the State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project, stood only about 50 percent full.”

These low water levels often force farmers, ranchers, and vineyard operators to find ways to conserve water and make the most of what they have available. Take a look at the tips for conserving water below, and know that the process isn’t always a quick fix, but ultimately your efforts will produce noticeable results.

Water Conservation Techniques

Effective watering techniques – This is a great place to start when trying to save water, and Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditors can assist you if need be. Effective watering techniques include watering early in the day to reduce evaporation loss and watering less frequently (but for longer amounts of time). It’s also imperative to regularly check all hoses and sprinklers for leaks, and you can easily reduce water waste by making sure all sprinklers are positioned correctly and watering plants only. You can even ask your water provider if they’re currently offering any coupons or discounts on water-saving irrigation equipment.
Eliminate weeds – Weeds compete with your other plants for water. Placing landscape fabric between the soil and your mulch will minimize weeds and allow for more of the water to go where it’s supposed to.
Rain barrels – This is another good way to minimize the effects of a drought. Collecting rainwater will certainly increase the amount of available water.
Water-conserving irrigation systems – There are several options to consider if you’re planning a water-conserving irrigation system: (1) A drip system, (2) furrow irrigation, (3) alternate furrow irrigation, and (4) surge irrigation—to name a few. IrrigationTutorials.com states, “While sprinkler systems are around 75-85 percent efficient, drip systems typically are 90 percent or higher.” Implementing the right irrigation system will not only reduce soil percolation, but also will minimize surface runoff losses.
Reduce fertilizer use – Using compost instead of fertilizers will increase water retention and decrease erosion. Moreover, adding mulch to the soil surface will increase the penetrability of clay soils, increase the water-holding capacity of sandy soils, and reduce the amount of water lost by evaporation.
Provide partial shade – If you have plants in containers, then you can prevent them from drying as quickly as they would in warmer, windy areas by providing some shade.

Rail Road Ties North Bay Recycling old railroad ties to use in the ranch or vineyard can be a low-cost option for erosion control, retaining walls, stairs, fences, driveways, decorative borders, and more. Especially when paint or tile is added to the surface, railroad ties can easily transform into a highly-aesthetic addition to your design scheme.

A word of caution: The wood that composes old railroad ties is most often treated with a chemical called creosote. Creosote is used to protect wood from the harsh elements of nature and the brute forces of trains passing over.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, creosote is “used as a fungicide, insecticide, miticide, and sporicide to protect wood and is applied by pressure methods to wood products, primarily utility poles and railroad ties. … Creosote is a possible human carcinogen and has no registered residential uses.”

If you’re unsure whether or not your railroad ties contain creosote, then it is best to play it safe. This means always wear gloves when handling them; do not utilize them in or around vegetable gardens, herb gardens, ponds, or other wet areas to avoid contamination; and instruct children not to play on them (to avoid getting creosote on their hands and possibly ingesting it).

Here are a few ideas on how to use railroad ties to enhance the appeal and/or function of your ranch or vineyard:

Apply Paint or Tile for Decoration

If you want to paint your railroad ties to spice them up a bit, then be sure they do not contain creosote (painting on top of creosote usually doesn’t work because the paint cannot adhere to the surface).

The first step to painting a railroad tie is to clean it thoroughly. Once it dries, use spray paint or a paint brush to evenly coat the railroad tie (you can spice up the colors by using stencils or patterns, too). When the painting is complete, apply a coat of sealant to protect it.

If you want to use tiles instead of paint, be sure to apply wood filler and/or leveling compound to the holes and cracks to smooth the surface. You’ll then need to sand the entire railroad tie before securing the tiles to it.

Create a Retaining Wall / Prevent Erosion

Erosion can become a major issue when ignored. Pesticides and fertilizers can drift into water supplies, sediment can enter watersheds and harm certain fish, areas once good for gardening can become too sloped to be useful, and more problems can arise. A good retaining wall will improve drainage and properly direct water flow.

Basically, building a retaining wall begins with a trench. A sledgehammer and railroad spikes can be used to secure the new wall in place, and plastic landscaping fabric may help to prevent creosote from entering into the surrounding soil.

Other Ideas

You can also utilize railroad ties by making a border or a walkway, outlining a driveway, constructing outdoor steps, and stacking them to create a fence.

Tag Archives: fertilizers

Drought Tips to Ease Water Worries

Railroad Ties for Ranches and Vineyards