More July Garden Tips: Water Conservation
Posted July 26th, 2010
by Teryani Riggs, Working Owner
Well, summer finally has a somewhat firm hold on us—the average temperature is above 70ºF (finally), the berries are coming into full swing, and the baby birds are learning to fly. In the garden, this is still the time for planting, but it is also the time to WATCH WATERING!
Some tips on how to conserve water in the garden:
- Catch as much rainwater as possible using rain barrels or other systems.
Mulch, mulch, MULCH. Mulching not only helps to reduce moisture loss and suppress weeds, it also provides top-down nutrients to the soil. You can use grass clippings, leaves, straw, composted bark chippings, or clippings from plants. Apply when the soil is moist and has warmed up and the plants are established. Water if soil is dry before laying down the mulch.- Digging increases water loss from the soil – avoid it, particularly in dry hot weather.
Remove weeds; they will be in competition for water with the plants you want to grow. (Better yet, if you’re into companion planting or permaculture, replace weeds with plants that will support the plants you want to grow.) - Add organic material (i.e. compost or mulch) to your soil. Compost not only provides wonderful nutrients to your plants, the organic material in it will store water and reduce water run-off.
- Water early in the morning or in the late afternoon (early morning is best). This will reduce loss of water through evaporation.
- Apply water directly to the soil, not plants.
- Soak plants well if you are watering. Watering thoroughly, yet infrequently is much better for your plants than frequent, shallow waterings. Check that the water has penetrated down into the soil, not just the surface layers.
Happy Watering!
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