Water Conservation

It is the peak of summer that creates the most strain on our water supply as we attempt to have the beautiful green lawn and lush yard we see in pictures and imagine for ourselves. All the while most of us have channeled the water from our eaves away from our houses and down the sewer and then we pay for water to irrigate our yard.

Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that looks for ways to conserve water by making good use of the water you have and choosing plants that will grow well in the conditions that naturally exist. How does the water move through your yard? Do you have naturally dry and moist areas in your yard? Can you channel the water coming off your house into your garden or to a dry spot? Realize that your lawn, flower, tree and shrub beds are like sponges able to soak up the rain water at a fairly quick speed. If you think logically about it you will see how to make the most of the water that comes your way naturally.

Here are some ideas on how to conserve water in your yard:

  • Use rain barrels to catch water for watering pots and nearby flowerbeds. Take the time to install an overflow system and elevate them so you can make use of gravity.
  • Use weeping tile or drainage tile attached to your eavestroughs or rain barrel overflow to channel rainwater to where it can be used.
  • Let the growing conditions dictate plant selection and consider the microclimates that exist in your yard when designing your landscape. For example plant a vegetable garden in a naturally moist area.
  • Install irrigation systems. There are many inexpensive, simple systems that offer a wide variety of options.
  • Use timers to ensure that you don't forget to turn off the water. You can get inexpensive wind-up timers that work great and are easy to move.
  • Avoid sprinklers which lose a lot of water to evaporation.
  • Water in the morning or late in the day to avoid evaporation but don't water too late into the evening when moisture on the foliage may not dry before dark which encourages fungus and mildew growth.
  • Water deeply and then let the plants dry down in between watering. This will encourage roots to go deeper and make your plants more drought tolerant.
  • Plant shade trees to provide protection from the sun and cool your yard down. This will slow down evaporation and make your space more comfortable.
  • Use mulch to slow evaporation from exposed soil.

 

Grow Green and Support Your Environment!