The sun is beginning to peek its head out from above the rainclouds again! Time to start spending more time in our outdoor spaces, watering our yards, and spraying down our patio furniture. But it’s important that we do this while still conserving water.
Although we may have received a lot of rainfall this winter, water conservation is always vital. Here are some tips on conserving water, while taking care of our outdoor duties.
Conserving Water: 3 Tips
Tip #1. Choose the Right Water System
Choosing a system that limits the use of irrigation is a great method of conserving water. Do some research and figure out different irrigation techniques for different plants. Then, keep your water running on a drip system that allows certain plants to receive just the right amount of water for the job and keeps you from overwatering.
The drip system is also ideal for growing gardens, as it allows water to get closer to the roots. Water-efficient sprinkler nozzles are also available to help control the watering of your lawn or larger areas of your yard.
Many irrigation systems today can also be monitored from your phone. That’s right — you can be conserving water as easily as you send a text! You (or your landscape contractor) can control watering times, monitor your irrigation systems and even turn water off from anywhere. A smartphone irrigation system can also alert you when you have a leak and need an emergency-shut off, and provide data about the best times of day to do the majority of your watering.
Here are some smart phone controller programs that might be useful for conserving water: Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller, the Hunter Pro-HC with Hydrawise and the Rain Bird ESP-TM2 with LNK Wi-Fi Module.
Tip #2. Choose “Low Water” Plants
One of the best tips for conserving water is to fill your yard with native plants. Native plants are used to the climate and rain fluctuation in your area, so they won’t next extra water in dry months the way non-native plants would. Purchasing low-water-use plants can be a great way to give your yard beauty without over-using water.
The right soil can also be a helpful way to maintain a moist plant environment without always filling up the watering can. Certain soils help your plants retain water or grow deeper roots, so they don’t soak up as much top laid water on hotter days. Talk to your gardener or landscape architect about ways your plants can be conserving water.
Tip #3. Place Buckets Near Rain Drop Offs
Another helpful tip is to place buckets near rain drop offs, i.e. underneath rain gutters or in areas around the yard that collect lots of water when it rains. This is another great way to reuse what would be normally headed down the driveway and wasted. Pour this extra water into potted plants or use it to refill bird baths around the yard.
Relax While Conserving Water
Now that your yard is on its way to a green, happy, healthy look, you can relax and enjoy the spring sun without worrying about using too much water. Conserving water in your yard not only benefits your plants, but your pocket book too. Save money while protecting our natural resources and enjoy the time spent in your beautiful outdoor space.