Gardening Water Conservation

Gardening Water Conservation / Introduction

Water conservation should not be considered an option any longer. Current circumstances require our full attention if we hope to thrive as a civilization. If these statements sound dramatic, it is because much of the world is currently suffering due to a lack of clean water.

Statistics around the reveal that our fresh water supply is practically nonexistent. That is why it is so important to seek out, find and start using all the innovative water conservation solutions and methods that are available today.

Whether you live in Australia or China or the US, it is time to wake up and take responsiblity. It is easy to practice water conservation in the home, but there is more to be done. Our world needs help on a commercial level as well so that our waste can be controlled in such areas as agriculture and irrigation.

Water Conservation ideas are cropping up in exciting legislation. That's why our participation in the voting process is so important. Let's act now, so our kids will have a brighter, greener future.

Gardening Water Conservation / How Does Your Garden Grow?

People across the world tend to their gardens not realizing that they are wasting gallons of water daily. This page is for those people. Below are the top 6 ways to save water and still provide a rich and fertile environment for your prized plants and vegetables.

1. Accurate Water Placement.
Water must be placed within the root zone of the plant, which for most plants expands about the same distance as the leaves.

It’s inexpensive, easily installed and minimizes water use.

2. Gardening Water Conservation / Minimum Watering Time.
Water early in the morning before the sun is out in full force - 5am or 6am would be ideal.

If you water in the heat of the day you will waste a lot of water through evaporation. And when the sun hits the wet grass in the hottest part of the day it can actually burn grass, plants, and flowers.

There are times however when it is necessary to water during the day - if, for example, your vegetables are starting to wilt. In this situation, apply water around the base of the plant with a watering can, hand held hose. Try not to spray it on the leaves (this will cause them to burn) in intense sun.

Another watering option is early evening, preferably when the heat of the day has passed, but there is still some sunlight. Watering after dark needs special care. So check the plants carefully for signs of deterioration.

Natural rainfall - garden watering systems are there to provide water during periods of low or inconsistent natural rainfall. You should not have to use them every day. So be aware of the weather patterns and adjust your watering frequency accordingly.

Moisture Sensing - for particular applications, such as planter's pot plants, window boxes and hanging baskets. It will only come on when the soil is dry and it will turn itself off when it is sufficiently moist. If it is wet from natural rainfall, it won't come on at all.

3. Gardening Water Conservation / Use of Mulch
Mulch is the wonder material of the garden. It is inexpensive, easy to apply and very effective.

Take a look at the surface of the soil in a natural habitat - particularly a forest or woodland. The thing that is very obvious is the proliferation of organic matter scattered all over the place. Leaves, stems, rotting branches, whole tree trunks, and dead plants. From the living trees and bushes above comes this steady rain of organic material. This is natural mulch. It teems with living organisms: - bugs, beetles, ants, spiders, worms, fungi, grubs and bacteria. They feed on this rich vegetable matter, break it down into useable plant food and recycle it back into the soil below.

4. Plant Selection.
One way to develop a garden which needs less water is to look for plants which are native to your area. Check out your local library or historical society. You will probably find that some of the plants indigenous to your region is not suitable for a home garden, but there will usually be some that will meet your needs.

5. Gardening Water Conservation / Improve Soil Quality
Soils can be classified by type on a relative scale from "Sandy" at one end to "Clay" at the other. In the middle is a mixture of sand, clay and organic matter known as "Loam".

Sandy soils are dominated by large rough grainy particles of sand and have very little organic matter.

If you pour water onto a container of sandy soil it runs almost straight through without spreading sideways. Pure sandy soils are very poor at moisture retention and therefore are unsuitable for all but desert or semi-arid plants. Cacti will survive, but not much else.

6. Create a Canopy.
In a forest or woodland, the sunlight does not often make it directly to the soil on the forest floor. The high branches of the tree provide a natural canopy which breaks up the hot sunlight so that what comes through is softer, and much less intensive. So the surface of the soil can retain its moisture, even during long periods without rain.

These are the conditions you should try to emulate in your garden.

Large shady trees, carefully and strategically placed, are to be encouraged. Fences, hedges and trelliswork can be used to create cool shady nooks.

Gardening Water Conservation / Sources

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/watercon.html
http://www.cityofbremerton.com/content/wc_conservationgarden.html
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/feature/organic-gardening/water-conservation.html

Thank you for visiting the gardening water conservation page. For more information on the importance of water conservation follow these links:

Importance of Conservation of Water

Water Conservation Statistics

Water Conservation Methods

Water Conservation Solutions

Australia Water Conservation Programs

Water Conservation in the Home

Water Conservation For Kids

Irrigation Water Conservation

Water Conservation Kits