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Hazelwood Water Conservation Demonstration Garden
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Hazelwood Garden - Before The Water Conservation Demonstration Garden at Hazelwood was built in Spring of 2007. The garden sits at the front entrance to the East Portland Neighborhood Office.
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Hazelwood Garden - After The Hazelwood Water Conservation Garden includes a water efficient drip irrigation system, water wise plants and two types of mulch.
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Coreopsis Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' is a bright addition.
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Weigela florida Weigela florida 'My Monet' is a lovely yet small color splash.
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Halimocistus Halimocistis 'Merrist Wood Creme' is a lovely water wise plant.
Located at 1017 NE 117th Ave., the Hazelwood Water Conservation Demonstration Garden showcases water efficient plant choices, mulches and irrigation technology. It also provides a welcoming “front porch” for the East Portland Neighborhood Office.
CONSERVATION FEATURES
Smart Irrigation – The Hazelwood irrigation system combines a soil moisture sensor, a standard irrigation controller, and in-line drip irrigation tubing to deliver a highly water-efficient and cost-effective irrigation system. Our drip system can be seen at the roots of the plants – look for the brown plastic tubing with emitters embedded in the tubing every 12 inches. This technology is known as “in-line emitters”. A soil moisture sensor is an irrigation technology that has long been used in the agricultural setting. Today they are becoming cost effective for residential use. The soil moisture sensor itself is buried in the garden. If the sensor measures a deficit of moisture in the soil, it will allow the irrigation system to come on. If the sensor measures enough moisture in the soil then the sensor will not allow the irrigation system to come on. The irrigation box hanging on the wall contains the irrigation controller and the computer unit for the soil moisture sensor.
Right Plant, Right Place – Plants that require more water were grouped together in the area closest to the building. The area closest to the sidewalk on NE 117th was designed with the most drought tolerant plants. Grouping plants with similar irrigation needs makes meeting those needs easier for the gardener, and is a more efficient use of the water.
Soil Preparation – During the earliest stages of garden design the garden soil was tested by a professional laboratory. The results of the test showed that the soil was lacking in nitrogen. The soil was amended with compost to improve the nitrogen and sand to improve the drainage ability of the soil.
Mulch – After planting the garden, each bed was covered with 2 inches of mulch to resist weeds and to help retain soil moisture. The garden is mulched with two different types of mulch – pea gravel and compost