If you are trying to plan how to conserve water in the garden these tips can make the difference between a successful planting season vs. a poor one. Water efficient gardening will also save you a good deal of money on your water bill, not to mention being beneficial for the environment.
5 Tips for Water Efficient Gardening
It is important to consider conserving water when designing a garden. These water efficient gardening tips will help.
Sectioning out the Garden for Smart Water Usage
Sectioning out the garden according to water needs, is not only a smart way to reduce waste, but makes other garden maintenance easier as well. Choosing plants for your design which are either native to your area or have low water needs is also helpful. Many herbs and perennials tend to be easier care and require less watering than annual plants.
Smart Use of Hardscaping for Water Efficiency
When installing walkways and other breaks in the garden, try and keep water conservation in mind. Hardscaped areas (ie. pavers, gravel), will not compete with your garden plants for resources, as a lawn area will and obviously don't require watering. These features can even be angled to help direct water flow toward higher water need garden areas. You may also want to consider installing a few rain barrels to catch water from your gutters. Some are actually quite attractive and reduce your need to use drinkable water in the garden.
Water Conserving Trees and Shrubs
If adding a tree or large shrub makes sense in your water efficient garden plans, then you really should consider adding one. The shade they provide will help reduce evaporation. Of course, keep in mind the sun needs of the types of plants you want to grow, before adding a shade element.
Focus on Retaining Soil Moisture
Retaining the Moisture already present in a garden is a smart way to start conserving water. One of your best friends in combating water evaporation is a thick layer of mulch. It will also help keep weeds at bay, who compete with your plants for precious resources. While mulching with biodegradable materials such is wood chips is common, living mulches, like moss or low growing ground covers work wonderfully as well. I've had excellent success with moss in a semi-shaded garden on my property. Including plenty of organic matter in your garden soil is another great way to retain moisture. This can be done with compost, or you can add purchased water retaining granules.
Efficient Watering of the Garden
Keep in mind How and When to Water - Water from the soil line (such as through drip irrigation), rather than spraying from above is a more water efficient method. This gets all the water where the roots are, and reduces evaporation. Watering slowly, deeply and with less frequency is the best way to build drought tolerance and encourages plants with deeper roots which are hardier overall. Mornings and early evenings are the best time to water your garden. Watering during the heat of midday will increase both evaporation and leaf burn. Evening watering is my preferred time to water. It gives plenty of time for the water to seep in and be absorbed during the cooler hours of the night.
I hope these simple tips help you with understand how to conserve water in the garden better and assist you in reducing your overall garden water requirements. Best of luck with your gardening adventures this season.
Daisy says
Thanks for the helpful tips. We love our garden, but also don't want to spend a fortune on water, so we appreciate the tips.
Nicole Brady says
Thanks for the tips. I've actually considered getting a rain barrel. They sometimes give them out for free to encourage use (sometimes deeply discounted.) Can't hurt, right?
Liz Mays says
Except for the mosquitoes, early evening is my preferred watering time too. I feel bad for them in the hot part of the day, but I know any water at that time won't really do them good.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
What a good idea to use rain barrels. We really need to conserve water here in California - I wish our building would use some of these tips for the landscaping.
Shell Feis says
I live in the middle of the desert, and we've been in a drought since before I can remember, so conserving water is SO important here! Thanks for the tips!
Jessica Cassidy says
I love to use that watering can than the garden hose. It saves water 🙂 I am looking forward for my tulips to grow back hope this year. I hope the chickens did not dug up the bulbs we planted last fall.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
Funny thing you mentioned rain barrels. I just saw some pretty neat looking ones last week and wondered if they worked.
Penelope Guzman (NY Blogger) says
I didn't know watering in the middle of the day increases leaf burn, I never even heard of that! But I have heard that it is likely to evaporate so it's good to do in the evenings…these are really good tips!
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) says
These are great tips for us here in the Dallas area. We've been having a drought and the watering ban last year had us at just 2 days a week for the lawns. I know you could water gardens by hand or with drip lines, so I bet a lot of people should be taking note on how to conserve water for their gardening needs here.
vanessa:thequeenofswag says
Did you see my self watering device I featured. It would save you tons of water in the garden.
Michelle says
I'll definitely have to try putting some of these things to use this spring/summer, especially the rain barrels thing. What a great and simple way to get free water! I wish I'd heard of/thought of that sooner.