City water tankers in constant operation for Offenbach's Green City Project
In the heart of Offenbach, Germany, the persistent heat and lack of rain have necessitated watering of trees and plants. The city's greenery, situated between heated asphalt and warm draft, is suffering due to these unfavourable conditions.
Citizens are playing a crucial role in this endeavour, asked to help by watering the trees in front of their houses with a few buckets of water. Young trees, particularly those planted in the past five years with shallow roots, are the primary focus of these efforts.
Sophie Geyer, a Master Gardener at the City Service, confirms that their colleagues are on constant duty. To support the growth of young trees, water sacks that continuously release moisture are being used.
The Department of Green Spaces at the City Service is also focusing on watering. Perennials on the median strips of the Ring and the Mühlheimer Straße require additional care during longer heat periods. Although perennials are heat-resistant, they struggle with prolonged dry heat phases.
In an attempt to conserve water and optimize water use efficiency, the City Service may be employing a combination of strategies. These include using precision irrigation methods, scheduling watering during cooler parts of the day, utilising soil moisture sensors or vegetation health monitoring tools, and prioritizing watering for high-value or vulnerable species.
Each water truck in Offenbach has a capacity of around 3,500 liters, and together they bring approximately 30,000 liters of water daily. However, watering is done even with announced or light rain because the soil is currently too dry for rain to penetrate deeply.
It is essential to water correctly to prevent potential harm. For instance, rose bushes should not have wet leaves when watered, as they can quickly get a fungus if the water cannot dry quickly enough. Watering in the evening promotes mainly snails, so it's best to water private gardens in the early morning hours.
Despite these efforts, the struggle against the heat and drought continues. The City Service encourages all residents to do their part in ensuring the health and survival of Offenbach's urban vegetation during these challenging times.
- In addition to the city's watering efforts, residents are urged to water other plants in their home-and-garden, focusing on maintaining young trees and rose bushes to help them weather the climate-change-induced heat and drought.
- Given the current environmental-science findings about water conservation and optimal water use efficiency, the City Service might also implement strategies such as precision irrigation, watering during cooler hours, using soil moisture sensors, and prioritizing watering for vulnerable species.
- The struggle against the heat and drought in Offenbach is not only the City Service's concern, but it's also a shared responsibility with every resident who has a role in keeping their lifestyle-oriented home-and-garden plants healthy while conserving water, as part of supporting the vibrant urban environment.
