8 Tips For Conserving Water In Your Lawn And Garden

Learning to save water in the garden/lawn translates to money savings on your water bill. Using water sparingly in the garden not only helps bring your water bills down (those on a metered line), but is also good for the environment. While you may depend on the garden for vegetables and fresh fruits and love the greener lawn, taking on measures to conserve water can help save up to 10,000 gallons of water every year without sacrificing on your garden/lawn’s health.

There are several reasons why many people are concerned about saving water. First, water is slowly becoming a scarce commodity. Taking on water conservation measures and avoiding wastage helps preserve this precious commodity. Using water sparingly in the garden, the lawn, as well as inside the house, also help lower water bills as well. In addition to this, using just the right amount of water to irrigate your vegetables and lawn prevent waterlogging; this reduces the risk of rotten roots while improving plant health.

How to Conserve Water in the Lawn/Garden

1. Plant Vegetables That Need Less Water

Some plants are thirstier than others are. The first step to conserving water in the garden would, therefore, be by planting plants that need less water to thrive. Good examples of this include succulents, palms, mimosa, lavender, and verbena. Rose flowers do not require frequent watering. Hence they are recommended for gardens at the front as well. Be sure to prepare the garden properly, and especially soil texture, to help increase its water retention capability. Soils with high water retention (loamy) are highly recommended for vegetable gardens.

2. Identify The Best Time To Irrigate

Experts recommend watering your garden/lawn very early in the morning (before the sun is up) and later in the evening (when the sun is down). Watering at these times of the day reduces the rate of evaporation and enables most of the water to seep into the soil. The best times to water your garden would, therefore, be between 4 and 6 in the morning, and between 7 and 9 in evening. If waking up at 4 am might be an issue, consider investing in a smart watering system that only turns on the sprinklers at set times. Watering at the right times, and with the right amounts of water will save you lots of water in the process.

3. Use The Right/Best Watering Techniques

Choose the right watering technique for improved precision. For instance, sprinklers are mostly recommended for watering a vast lawn, and to soak unplanted areas. Watering cans and hoses also come in handy for precise watering in that; you only direct the water to the plant base leaving the surrounding soil dry. This method is, however, labor-intensive and recommended or small vegetable gardens. Seep hoses or drip irrigation is one of the best ways to water your garden. Water seeps out of tiny holes placing water where the roots are. An automated irrigation system can also help save time and water in the garden and lawn as well. Although an expensive option, computerized systems can be programmed to turn the sprinklers on only when soil moisture levels drop to a certain level.

4. Apply A Thick Layer Of Mulch

Mulching is one of the best ways to preserve water in the soil. It helps provide adequate soil cover, which reduces evaporation rates while keeping the soil and root zone cool. Experts recommend organic mulch for vegetable gardens as it does more than keeping the soil cool. Organic mulch breaks down, eventually enriching the soil with essential nutrients. Shredded bark, grass, and wood chips are perfect examples of organic mulch. Synthetic mulch can also be used on lawns too.

5. Space Watering Intervals

Giving your plants large (but enough) amounts of water per watering session while avoiding overwatering can also help save you lots of water in the long run. Ensuring the lawn and garden are well watered, plus having mulch allover, means more water will be retained in the soul for much longer. This means you won’t need to water the plants frequently. Depending on what you have in the garden, this will allow you to go for up to 5 days without needing water for the plants. You should, however, according to Discoverziehler.com, monitor soil moisture carefully to ensure the plants get enough water. Watering adequately and spacing the watering intervals saves more water than applying small amounts of water frequently.

6. Leave Grass Clippings On The Lawn

Do not mow the lawn too close to the ground to leave some soil cover. It is also advisable to leave the grass clippings on the lawn to act as mulch. These clippings break down and decompose quickly, thus returning beneficial nutrients to the soil. It would also be advisable to mow the lawn more frequently at the set height to avoid removing massive grass blades. Experts recommend mowing at 4 inches to ensure optimal soil cover during the dry season. Doing this reduces the need to water the lawn frequently.

7. Collect Rainwater

Rainwater can be used for various applications in the house and the garden too. You can store much of the rain in a large water tank, then use the collected water to water your garden and plants. This should help lower your water bills even farther. If lucky, you may go for months without using your metered water to irrigate the garden.

8. Eliminate Leaks

A leaky hose, emitter, or an outdoor faucet can cost you lots of water in a month. With most outdoor leaks going unnoticed, taking the time to inspect all faucets, pipes, and emitters in the garden and lawn can help you save lots of water in the process. Be sure to check out for leaks at least once every week and preferably during the weekend.

These are but a few simple ways in which you can conserve water in your garden and lawn. Implementing these, as well as recycling water in the house, can help bring your water consumption levels down. This is not only good for your wallet but contributes significantly to saving the environment. Conserving water is one of the best ways to take care of the environment and precious resources.