Storing water for droughts for my trees......

[Oregon Blues]

At least you won't have to water that mesquite.

For rain barrels, you can use 55 gallon food grade plastic barrels. In some areas they are free. I pay $10 each for mine.

You can use a doughboy type of swimming pool to hold a lot of water. You need to place a cover over it and can disguise it with landscaping.

Or go to a farm supply store or a septic tank manufacturer and purchase a potable water cistern. You'll get a huge plastic tank made for holding water.

 

[OldGuy43]

I read "Garden Design Magazine" and one of their issue articles was plants and trees from Australia that could live here if the plant wasn't over crowded and had to complete for nutrients. BUT, since water is an issue which I don't mind accommodating if its done right then I wanted a plan before I bought all these plants and seeds. Since I haven't decided on type of trees yet because I was mainly concerned about making the environment right before deciding, I mean what can you do with a dust bowl and no water which is what it feels like down here when everything is dying. Some of my choices are laughable like the eucalyptus tree and some flowering vines like the parrots beak, but if it is at all possible to store water for maintaining something like this I would like to try. Has anyone else tried to maintain non native plants here in Texas?

My main purpose if for attracting as many species of birds so I can bird watch. So some trees that produce dates, seeds, and sap. Vines for interesting flowers for interesting birds. I'm not one for the desert look of cactuses, sand and small patches of ornamental grass.

I could type more but I will check back in a little bit.
Thanks for everyones input it means a lot.

Is it possible? Of course. Witness this ski resort:



That's Ski Dubai. It is a part of the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest shopping malls in the world. Here in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing for a price. As I write this the outdoor temperature is 102° F. at 11:04 pm GST.

So to answer your question, yes if you own a large producing oil field you can. The question is, "Is it worth it?"

Just went back and reread your original post. While I think it's admirable that you want to create a "bird watching landscape" I feel that I should point out that there just aren't that many varieties of bird here in Central Texas.

http://txmn.org/alamo/alamo-area-natural-history/birds-2/

 

[SweetSilver]

One of my favorite books was written by a friend, Toby Hemenway. It's called "Gaia's Garden". Very good book.

 

[wyoDreamer]

If you are looking to attract local wildlife, you would be better off by planting local plants. Make sure to include plants that they use for nesting.
You may need to develop a water source to attract birds and entice them to stay.

I can see maybe a coule of neat-o plants as a centerpiece, but the spread of foreign plants, animals and diseases is very problematic here in the states.
Many of the noxious weeds that we combat in our farm fields and backyards, are escapees from flower gardens.

How involved do you want to be in the maintenance of this acreage?
Is this a plant it and forget it senario? or are you looking to go out everyday and work in your "garden"?

 

[Gryphon]

Ah, it's too bad you're not into cacti, talk about low maintenance! Plus the larger ones are actually selling for quite a bit of money to landscapers who want to use succulents. They also attract birds and other wildlife, both as homes and food when they flower and fruit.

 

[PeppermintHen]

The maintenance level is not the issue, I love yard work, it's a great work out, Beats going to the gym and it's free...lol. Some of it I would like to plant and forget it, to make it more wildlife like and build a little bridegy looking walkway through it. Something like this. But only in the back section, I don't want the whole place to be over grown.


I'm not looking for a flower garden, more trees and bushes and a space for dandelions for my chickens. And as far as cactuses go, our acreage does have cactuses already in it which I plan to keep because yes they do attract many species as well, I will work them in there somehow. Thanks all of you for suggestions and input

.

 

[cmcanallen]

If tank size is the only thing you're worried about, you can buy storage tanks for a reasonable price at TSC. I'm doing that for rain water collection. We bought two 2500 gallon tanks and this spring my handyman is going to redo our gutters so that everything runs into the side of the house and into the tanks for lawn watering. i'm building a grape arbor around the tanks to hide them and shade then some.

 

[OldGuy43]

Older thread, hopefully I'm not to late. Mosquitoes are a big problem here in Central Texas. They'll breed in any still water. I even found myself with a commode swarming with them after an extended weekend once.

 

[flgardengirl]

You can put mosquito dunks in rainwater containers. They make a larger pelleted form that I think is made by Bayer brand that you can put into ponds. I think if you have fish in your pond, they will keep the mosquito population down. I have a small pond and the koi do a good job of eating all the mosquitos. For my fountains, and pots that I keep water plants in (lotus, waterlilies etc.) the mosquito dunks do great. I just break off a tiny piece for smaller areas and it works just as good.