Preparing for Winter Months

During winter months there in an always the possibility of increased rain, snow or frost. If you live in a region that is mostly wet during the winter DRiWATER® continues to work normally.  In the event of heavy rains, the microorganisms in the soil migrate away from DRiWATER® to avoid being too wet, and the lack of microorganisms at that point will nearly stop DRiWATER® from liquefying.  When the soil begins to dry out again, the microorganisms will migrate back toward DRiWATER® and begin to liquefy again.  The concern for plants in Winter is frost and low temperatures.  DRiWATER® freezes when temperatures fall below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and will not be affected when thawing occurs.  If DRiWATER® is in the ground during a freeze, it will stop liquefying when soil temperatures reach below 38 degrees because the microorganisms become dormant.  At these low temperatures the plants will be in their dormant stage also and will need very little moisture.  When the ground thaws, DRiWATER® will begin to liquefy again. This will give you the extra security during winter months.

Happy Holidays from DriWater Inc.!

Please read our newletter for our recap of 2010!

We wish you all a Happy and Healthy Holiday!

From all of us at DriWater Inc.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia

Joe Paternoster, President of DriWater Inc., recently attended Dubai International Convention Center Garden Landscape Middle East.  DriWater was represented by our partners based in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon.  The show was attended by landscape architects, contractors and government officials.  “We spent time working at tree planting projects for the entire region.  There has been a shift to environmental and greening policies.” says Joe Paternoster.

There are a few large projects that DriWater fits very well.  We spent time with the Director General from the Saudi Arabian Minister of Agriculture’s office. “The King is very concerned about water supply but is committed to greening.” Stated Kaleem Abdul, “DriWater can assist in our overall water conservation measures”

The Abu Dhabi government is planning to plant trees along the sides and center annex on the road from Abu Dhabi to the Saudi Arabian boarder.  This will resolve problems from sand movement on this 350 kilometer road.  The project will require millions of trees over the years and the remote nature of the project will make DriWater a cost effective solution.

DriWater used for Audobon Dry Creek Woodland Project

DriWater used to help establish Plants at Audobon BobCat Ranch

Alex Palmerlee, Ranch Manager, Audubon California Bobcat Ranch in Winters, CA used DriWater for native plant establishment on Audubon California’s Dry Creek Oak Woodland Corridor Project. This project, funded through the Wildlife Conservation Board, continues substantial work by Audubon-California and their partners in the greater Putah-Cache Creek Watershed. Since 1999, Audubon has worked with local landowners to implement habitat restoration projects on farms and ranches throughout the region. The goal of these efforts is to achieve multiple resource management and wildlife conservation benefits that are compatible with farm and rangeland practices. Through these programs, Audubon has restored native perennial grasslands, wetlands and riparian habitat, revegetated canal banks, and built wildlife habitat ponds on working farms and ranches. These projects have become models of private land stewardship.

Together with their partners, Audubon is restoring over 5.6 miles of riparian and oak woodland habitat and associated species in the Dry Creek Watershed. Building on previously forged relationships between local landowners, conservation groups, and conservation agencies, the project melds riparian habitat and oak woodland restoration compatible with economically viable agriculture through proven and practical changes in the management of the oak woodlands and riparian areas. DriWater was used to effectively establish native oaks and shrubs, where irrigation was not available on the east side of Dry Creek in the Audubon Bobcat Ranch. Alex Palmerlee, Ranch Manager noted that since irrigation was not available on many sections of Dry Creek, DriWater was the most cost effective method for establishing native plants and contributed to the success of the riparian restoration and oak woodland  areas within Bobcat Ranch. DriWater Tube & Gel Pacs were installed at time of initial planting in January 2010 and replaced every month during the dry season. The results of the project’s success will be documented by  Audubon California at the end of 2010 and an update will be forthcoming in the Spring of 2011.

Tall Pot Planting Technology

“Tall Pot” is a term that describes plants – mostly trees – that are grown in long narrow tubes, usually made of PVC, and filled with soil.
The long tube encourages a long tap root to establish , so that once the trees are planted, they are better able to survive. This is especially useful when planting without permanent irrigation. Once plants make it through the first 90-days of life post-transplant they are generally able to not only survive on their own but ‘thrive’ on their own.

Diana Stuart, Environmental Program Manager
Flood Control District of Maricopa County, Phoenix Arizona

DriWater in Forestry Source

America Recycles Day: America Recycles Day: A Keep America Beautiful Program

America Recycles Day: America Recycles Day: A Keep America Beautiful Program

What is DRiWATER and how does it work?

What is DRiWATER and how does it work?

Going away? Plant-sitters you don't have to pay

Going away? Plant-sitters you don't have to pay

San Joaquin Delta College Using DriWater

On Tuesday, November 2, 2010 Michael Toscano, Ornamental Horticulture Instructor at the San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, CA and his students participated in a tree and sod planting effort to beautify the campus and learn about landscape design by getting their hands dirty. DriWater, a time release water gel, was used as an alternative to traditional irrigation to help provide needed moisture to the Desert Willow trees being planted amongst the Delta Bluegrass which requires much more surface water than the Desert Willows. The students planted the Desert Willows with DriWater Tube & Gel Pacs to provide up to 90 days of continuous moisture to the trees during their establishment period. The students will be checking on the gel pacs every 60 days and replace them as needed over the next Spring and Fall semesters.

How can I keep my plants at work alive while I'm on vacation?

How can I keep my plants at work alive while I'm on vacation?

DriWater Native Plant Establishment Study Update

Valley Oak Roots DriWater Only on Left - Handwatered on Right

DriWater Inc. conducted a study from August 2009 through October 2010.  Four native plant species were planted on the first of each month from August 2009 through October 2009. The species used for the study were Quercus agrifolia (Coast Live Oak), Quercus Labata (Coast Valley Oak), Calycanthus Occidentalis (Spice Bush) and Holodiscus Discolor (Ocean Spray). This study applied a TRWG with added zinc and glacial acetic acid to half the species in August 2009 providing 90-days of continuous moisture during late summer/fall plantings. Controls were given 2.5 gallons of water, without nutrients, each week for 12 weeks. This study was effective in determining two variables.  First that planting in August has superior results than those planted in October. Species planted in August showed a 55% increase in root mass growth over species planted in October. The other variable was that plant species planted in August that received only a TRWG for establishment showed a 69 % root mass increase over controls. The study took place in Santa Rosa, CA and included results from August, September and October of 2009 plantings. The last data collected was 10/27/10.  We will keep you posted on our findings.