Water-Saving Gardens

Let’s look at some of the best water conservation gardening practices to help significantly reduce water consumption in your home or community garden.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, the best time to water your garden is early morning. This helps the soil retain moisture throughout the day and protects plants against getting scorched by the sun. It also allows the ground to dry before nightfall, helping prevent fungus and disease. Maximize your water efficiency by watering deeply so the nutrients reach the roots.

Consider installing a water butt in your yard, which connects to drainpipes, collecting rainwater from roofs, garages, and other structures on your property. In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 24,000 liters of water can be collected from a house roof each year, and the lower pH level of rainwater will be much better for your plants than household tap water!

Other simple solutions to save household water in your garden include collecting water in your shower with a bucket while waiting for the water to warm up and using veggie water, pasta water, and unwanted ice to hydrate your plants.

A new water-conservation landscaping and gardening system gaining popularity in the United States is called “xeriscape.” Xeriscaping involves removing unnecessary grass areas in your yard and, instead, using a combination of soil, rocks, mulch, and drought-tolerant native plant species to create beautiful, lush, and regionally appropriate landscapes, maximizing sustainability. Initially, the system was designed to preserve water in hot and arid climates, but it can be used anywhere. Let’s take a look at some of the steps of xeriscaping.

Studies have shown that xeriscaping reduces water consumption by as much as 75%. In Novato, California, United States, the city’s water department estimated that the houses that chose to xeriscape saved 454 liters of water per day and began offering reduced water bills for residents that converted to xeriscaping.

Because of the current climate crisis, the electrical grid is becoming strained like never before. In case of a power outage, it is essential to have a supply of emergency food. As a precaution, you can always plant your own vegetables, many of which are drought-resistant and do not need much water to grow. To help you have a thriving water-saving garden even in times of extreme heat or drought, here are some final tips…