Now that water restrictions are either in effect or expected to arrive soon, gardeners are searching for effective ways to conserve and use their precious resource more efficiently. Luckily, there are practical and affordable steps anyone can take to reduce their garden water consumption and environmental impact while simultaneously helping their plants flourish. Here are three strategies you can implement now in your garden to save water!
Water Saving Tip 1: Know Your Soil
Every soil type possesses different water-holding capacities. Sandier soils tend to absorb it quickly while clay absorbs it more slowly – knowing what yours is will allow you to know how often and how much to water.
Water Saving Tip #2: Know the Weather and Season
Watering your garden at different times of the day makes an important difference when it comes to conserving water. Cool temperatures in the morning or evening ensure that the moisture penetrates deeply into the soil rather than simply evaporating on its surface, also helping reduce how much chemical fertiliser or pesticide you need – something which both benefits the environment as well as yourself!
Tip 3 for Water Saving: Redirect Downspouts
Wherever possible, divert rainwater into your garden rather than allowing it to run off into streets or drains. Redirecting downspouts into rain barrels or cisterns is an easy and free way to harvest rainwater for plant use; one inch of rainfall on 1,000-square foot roof can produce as much as 625 gallons!
TIP #4: Mulch Your Garden Bed Applying a thick layer of mulch will protect the soil by insulating temperature fluctuations and decreasing evaporation rates of water from your garden bed soil, thus decreasing temperature fluctuations and water evaporation rates. Plus, adding mulch will improve its health overall making it less susceptible to drought and erosion!
Water Saving Tip 5: Water Smartly
Regular shallow sprinklings of water will weaken grass roots, making the lawn more vulnerable to dry spells. Aim to water lawns every three days for at least 20 minutes so it can reclaim its moisture reserves and restore itself back into the soil.
As a gardener, you likely consider each plant’s sunlight and soil needs, but have you considered how much water each one requires? Keep an eye out for signs of water stress such as yellowed or wilting leaves as this will indicate whether too little or too much moisture is reaching their roots – and can help you adjust irrigation systems as necessary.
As demand for freshwater increases, it has never been more essential that gardeners and landscapers make smart decisions with regard to water conservation in their garden and landscape. Saving water doesn’t need to be hard; just start small to see what works and then expand upon that as necessary.