How Can I Save Water While Gardening?

Are you maintaining your soil by adding organic matter, composting, mulching?

Do you water only when the soil feels dry?

Are you using the right amount of water for your soil type?

Are you using water-conserving watering techniques and systems in your garden?

Are you collecting rainwater and reusing old water?

Are you well acquainted with the watering needs of your plants?

Adding organic matter to the soil improves its structure, which helps it to retain moisture. Mulching flowerbeds, and around the base of shrubs and trees in spring, prevents moisture from evaporating during dry spells. Mulching the surface of hanging baskets traps moisture.

To check if you need to water or not, look at the soil about a spade-deep down. If it’s damp - you don't need to water, if it’s dry - you should water your plants. Watering the garden before a drought sets in keeps the soil’s moisture levels up and helps prevent a water deficit. You should also water plants in the evening when it’s cooler, to reduce evaporation.

Light sandy soils need watering more often than heavy soils. Clay-based soils can be watered less frequently, but need more water. The rule of thumb is that for plants to keep growing, up to 5.2 gallons per 10 sq ft every seven to 10 days is sufficient.

Hoses and watering cans are precise and should be used for watering around plant bases beneath the leaves. This way you can leave the surrounding soil dry saving water. Sprinkler system is an effective system for watering lawns and soaking unplanted areas. Seep hoses can be buried under soil or mulch, which avoids evaporation. They allow you to water established plants in rows but are best used on heavy soil. Automated irrigation systems allow water to drip or trickle into growing areas whenever you program them to do so. They save time and effort but are very expensive.

To collect rainwater just divert the water from your drainpipe into a water butt or a wheelie bin. Reusing greywater (water from baths, showers, washing machines, and washing up) is a good way to use water a second time. Household soaps and detergents are harmless to plants but don’t use water containing bleach, disinfectant, dishwasher salt, or stronger cleaners, which can harm plants.

You are already doing a great water-saving job in your garden!

Some plants need less water than others to grow. Learn about the watering needs of plants in your garden and if you have drought-tolerant species, you can water them less and they won't mind.