Droughts and water shortages are becoming increasingly common in the United States, regardless of state or region. Forest fires, poor atmosphere quality, and low levels of rainfall all affect the quality of your garden and can make it tricky to know how much and how often you should actually be watering your plants. Minimizing your water usage in the garden is sure to reduce the cost of your water bills and save a valuable natural resource. Setting up a xeriscape garden is the best choice for anyone seeking to reduce their garden’s water consumption, though, for many homeowners, it would require an expensive and time-consuming landscaping project. Rattan Garden Furniture Basild has been the UK’s first choice for garden furniture for many years and for good reasons too.
In this article, we’ll cover a few of the basic changes you can make to your garden and landscaping habits in order to reduce water consumption. You might be surprised how easily you can reduce the water bill each month and prevent a considerable waste of resources. All of these points apply to any type of garden, though the way you’ll implement them is, of course, unique to your backyard and the plants in your garden. Let’s get started with some of the basics.
Water Your Garden in the Morning
Anything that you’ve planted in open soil should always be watered as early in the morning as possible. If you have a sprinkler system set up, make sure it’s set for the early AM hours- preferably around three to four in the morning or right before the sun rises. However, it’s essential to know that the rule of watering your garden in the morning does not extend to your potted plants. Whether they’re flowers or herbs, you’ll want to water them in the early evening instead. The way the plant draws water from the soil is different because the outside of the pot is often sitting in the sun, whereas the soil is cooler in the other parts of your garden.
Choose Native Plants
Plants local to your state or region will find an optimal home in your backyard because it’s already set to their favorite temperature, humidity, and pressure settings. Planting non-native plants, particularly in more arid climates, increases the water that the plant requires and makes it less likely they’ll thrive. Reducing the water consumption levels of your garden is in many ways about keeping your plants at optimal water intake levels and allowing them to thrive.
Reduce Fertilizer Use
Chemicals that promote plant growth in your garden essentially cause the plant to seek more natural resources, such as chlorophyll and water, to continue growing at what feels like the right pace. Reducing fertilizer use in the garden is an excellent way to avoid excessive water usage, even if it does have a pleasing effect on the color and growth of your garden. That’s not to say you can’t use any fertilizer for your plants; it can still be a valuable tool to keep in the shed.
Water With the Weather
Pay close attention to the weather forecast, so you’ll always know when it’s going to rain enough that watering your garden becomes unnecessary. In addition, you can always check in with the current drought status of your state or region with the U.S. Drought Monitor’s interactive map. Beyond using excess water, you can also drown the plants if you water them too soon following a rain shower. Remember, nature does 95% of the gardening work for you.
Group Plants By Shade and Sunlight Requirements
Understanding the optimal shade and sunlight conditions for your plants makes it significantly easier to stop overwatering them. Chances are, you won’t remember how many hours of sun each plant is supposed to get. However, if your garden contains zones based on your plants’ requirements, you’ll be more likely to water in the correct amounts and use only as much water as is necessary.
Keep Mower Blades Sharp
Dull lawnmower blades are more likely to make jagged, irregular cuts in the grass, which can increase the water requirements of the entire lawn. In addition, it makes your grass less drought-resistant, or rather more likely to turn brown or yellow in the hotter months when it should be a pleasant shade of green. You should also consider raising the height of your lawnmower to ensure that the cuts you’re making are not interfering with the plant’s roots. In many ways, the proper management of your lawnmower is one of the most impactful items on this list towards saving energy and costs.
Install a Water Tank
A water tank along the side of your house that gathers rainwater from the roof of your home as it drains is an easy way to save water when watering your plants. You can find these water tanks in all shapes and sizes at almost any home and garden center. Even for smaller or narrow backyards, they can still be helpful. While the amount of water the tank gathers in an area like Southern California, for example, might be pretty low, it’s usually just as necessary because the region at large is significantly more in danger of frequent droughts.
Layer With Mulch
Mulch coverings for areas with open soil trap the moisture in the dirt, ensuring that all of your plants need significantly less water. The mulch chips also offer a pleasing appearance for almost any landscaping design, regardless of size or location. It’s usually best to place mulch early in the season and then replace it each year to maintain both its practical and aesthetic value to your garden.
Reuse Water from Indoor Sources
Chances are, you’re used to throwing plenty of water down the drain without giving it a second thought. However, your garden can always benefit from this water unless it contains bleach or other household chemicals. The next time you’re finished boiling potatoes, consider saving the water to water of a few of the pots sitting on your patio instead of dumping it in the sink. You might be surprised how much water you can easily save by simply taking care of your plants, looking after your lawnmower, and tuning up your sprinkler system.
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From using efficient irrigation systems to choosing drought-tolerant plants, your article provided me with actionable steps to reduce water consumption in my garden. Thank you for sharing your expertise in such a clear and concise manner. I feel inspired to make sustainable changes in my gardening practices. Well done!