Garden Water Conservation

Use resources carefully and your low water garden can be as fun and colourful as it is sustainable.

When temperatures soar, our water usage both outside and in rockets too - the average garden hose delivers 1,000 litres of water an hour!

With fresh water supplies seriously under threat thanks to increased demand and global warming, every one of us has to cut back on how much water we use in times of drought, and that means in the garden, too.

Luckily, water efficient gardens can reduce your water bills and running costs; they require less maintenance, and use the available space in the most practical way, allowing you to get the most out of your garden.

As with all things gardening related, the soil is the place to start - a healthy, well maintained soil with plenty of organic matter will retain moisture and nutrients. If you're choosing new plants, make sure you look out for varieties that are drought tolerant, too.

Low-maintenance alternatives to planted areas include gravel, coloured glass nuggets and decking.

Lawns are the thirstiest part of a garden. Letting the grass grow longer helps shade the soil and reduces the need for water. If you must water your lawn, remember that less frequent soaking is better than regular sprinkling as it encourages the roots to search for water stored deep below the soil's surface.

RAIN AND GREYWATER

Your best investment at times of drought is a water butt, or two if your garden is big enough - many water fi rms sell them cut price. A water butt (or underground tank) collects water run-off from roofs and gutters and provides vital water supplies when things dry up.

Greywater from baths and showers can be used safely on most non-edible plants, provided it is applied to the soil rather than foliage and not left long enough for bacteria to grow.

WATERING

When water is in short supply, don't use watering-can roses (except for seedlings), as the water goes all over the place instead of directly to the roots where it is needed - use a narrow head instead. Water in the early morning or in the evening to avoid evaporation. Make sure your garden hose doesn't have any wasteful leaks, and fi t it with a trigger to control the flow. An aerating nozzle allows you to water roots without washing away the soil or having to use the less efficient spray pattern. If your garden is important to you, look into low water irrigation systems.

Other water saving measures

Plant new shrubs, vegetables or plants in a saucer-shaped dip of soil so the water pools around them.
Cut off the bases of plastic bottles and bury them upside down next to new plants. Water into these and they'll channel the water straight to the roots.
Feed lawns and other plants with fertiliser to help them grow new roots and make the best use of the water in the soil.
Invest time in eliminating water-stealing weeds as soon as they show themselves in spring.
Buy and plant new plants as early in the season as possible so they can grow roots before dry weather begins. Reduce watering once the roots are established.
Limit hanging baskets and small containers unless you can keep them in shady spots. Larger containers are easier to keep watered and proportionally use less water.


Custom Search