Water Conservation Garden: Two Exercises for Gardeners and Homeowners
Water conservation garden techniques like rainwater harvesting are not new. Rain barrels and other water management systems are becoming popular again as water quantity becomes scarcer and quality becomes more uncertain. The most basic form of rainwater harvesting is merely gathering the water and delivering it right away to the plants.
Below are some quick, but effective, exercises – specifically designed for gardeners and homeowners, to keep gardens vibrant and healthy and prevent the brown, dried out look that comes with too little water.
Quick Water Conservation Garden Exercise 1: Try to find the best soil possible when choosing a gardening spot.
Planting in soil that offers no nutritional value or holds no water is simply a waste of time. There are many local garden centers and businesses that sell soil, which can be loaded onto your truck. You can also improve your soil by using different mulches or compost, or by encouraging worm casting. These materials are chemical free, and will not burn your plants.
Quick Water Conservation Garden Exercise 2: Grow plants that are compatible with your surroundings
Good gardeners know that plants are healthier when they’re compatible with the local environment. For example, if you live in Southern California, where rainfall averages nine to eleven inches per annum, one of the best water conservation techniques would be to plant water thrifty, drought tolerant plants. The local birds will thank you for ripping out your lawn and creating a climate appropriate garden of native grasses and groundcovers.
Consider watering systems. A sprinkler in your garden or area keeps water conservation within your grasp. Contact your local city office to find out what limitations they have for using water outdoors in your area. Some communities strictly control days and times of use, and even areas to place water. You should also contact your local extension service to ask for water conservation garden advice.