How to use less water on the garden?
As we approach the warmer months of the year, our focus turns to reduce the amount of water we are required to use in our garden. Whether your watering with mains or off tanks, it is important everyone is water conscious.
Follow some of these easy steps to reduce your water consumption this summer:
Look after your soil
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Soil really is the foundation of your entire garden, so by 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.
- Add wetting agents to your lawn and garden beds to ensure what water is used, is well absorbed. For more information on wetting agents visit our wetting agent blog.
Water at the right time
- It is important to always ensure you observe your lawn along with the upcoming weather conditions, watch, and when it starts to show signs of water stress – such as the leaf changing shape or looking dry, it’s time to water.
- It is always better to water at the end of the day, that way your garden and lawn absorb the water overnight during the cooler temperatures and less evaporation occurs.
Use the right amount of water
- This depends on your soil type. Light sandy soils need watering more often than heavy soils. Clay-based soils can be watered less frequently but need more water. For more information about if your lawn is receiving enough water, visit our watering blog
Plant lawns that need less water
- Warmer season lawns such as Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo, Eureka Premium Kikuyu VG, and Tif Tuf are drought-tolerant lawns, this means they require a lot less water once established then cool-season lawns such as Tall Fescue or Rye.
- By planting warm-season grass you will dramatically reduce the level of water required to keep them healthy.
Use the best watering techniques for your garden
There are a variety of watering methods, so it is important you choose the more efficient for the area of your garden you are watering:
- Sprinklers: best used to water the lawn and soak unplanted areas, sprinklers have great coverage, but you can’t target specific sections of your garden with them.
- Hoses and watering cans: labor-intensive but precise, use these to water around plant bases beneath the leaves and leave the surrounding soil dry. These limits weed growth and mean all the water goes where it is needed.
- Seep hoses: these allow water to seep out of holes in the hose. They 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 as water spreads further sideways, covering more than it would on lighter soils.
- Automated irrigation systems: these allow water to drip or trickle into growing areas whenever you program them to do so. They save time and effort, but they are the most expensive option. Make sure you take hot and dry weather into account when you program your system.
By following these simple steps, you will ensure that you are not only water conscious, but also have a lush healthy lawn and garden over the warmer months. Happy Gardening everyone!