Eco-friendly watering methods not only help conserve water, but they also cost a lot less than using freshwater to water your garden and lawn
Just implementing a couple of these tips can really cut down on the amount of water you use to garden. Watch out for the amazing video below on how to make your own simple drip irrigation system.
Choose low-water plants
One of the best things you can do is to choose plants that do not require frequent watering. These plants can vary depending on where you live, but Sunset Strain flowers, Lavender, Hedge Maple, Juniper, Trumpet Vines, and Climbing Roses are all low-water plants that require little water to survive. If you need more help with your plant selection, your local agricultural resource office can help you find the best plants for your region and particular yard. A professional landscaper can also help you choose the best low-water plants for your property. The less water the plants require, the more money and water you will save.
Location is key
it’s important to place your plants in the proper location to avoid having to water them more often than necessary. This is especially important in southern states, where the beaming sun can feel like an oven for six to nine months out of the year. Choose plants that can grow in the shade so that the water does not evaporate as quickly from the ground. However, sometimes when you choose shade plants, they do require more water than full-sun plants. Use your best judgment when selecting plant varieties based on location.
Reuse grey water
Grey water, such as water accumulated from rain, showers, and sinks can be reused in your lawn to help reduce the amount of water you use from your city’s water source. Grey water is ideal for watering plants, because it does not require additional filtration before use. Many grey water systems simple add an additional pipe line along sink and shower drains leading directly into nearby flower beds. This prevents the need for ever watering plant beds on your own. One drawback of this method is that if you use too much water, the beds can become flooded. You can also set up large rainwater collection barrels throughout your yard to catch rain as it falls. When the barrel gets full, simply use it to fill up watering cans so you can water your plants and lawn for free. You can also scoop water out of a tub after each use and use that to water plants, rather than allowing all of the water down the drain.
Consider using a drip irrigation system
This video explains how you can build a DIY drip irrigation system from old containers filled with your collected rainwater in your own garden. The sytem is as simple as it gets and doesn’t need all the additional pipework which we traditionally think of with drip irrigation sytems. Of course you can buy drip irrigations systems as ready made commercial products but you can’t beat having a go at it yourself if you want to save money whilst doing the right thing for your garden and our planet too. Just get those conatiners filled and stand them in your pots for a short while and the water will be going directly where it is needed the most without any wasteful run off. As an added bonus this really is a great way to feed your plants too.
Use the right pot
The right container for your plants can make a difference in how often you have to water. While all pots should have drainage holes, a saucer on the bottom of you pot can help prevent soil and excess water from draining away out the drainage hole. Line the bottom of the pot with pebbles to keep the roots from sitting in water, which can cause root rot. Use high-quality pots, made from ceramic or stone, rather than plastic pots. Plastic pots can get hot quickly, which can cause water to evaporate faster. In a garden bed, layer a 2-3 inch layer of mulch over the soil to act as an insulating barrier for water evaporation.
This is a guest post by Liz Conaty, lover of the backyard garden and good friend of Mother Nature, Liz is currently working on a solar pv project, trying to get her house set up with solar electricity.
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