Reference Room

Water Conservation Tips

Proper water conservation practices not only helps protect the environment, but also saves money and can provide ideal growing conditions for the garden. A few ways to reduce the amount of water used for irrigation include growing native and drought tolerant species and having a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch. On a larger scale, installing windbreaks and/or fences can slow down winds, which will help reduce the amount of evapotranspiration.

The ideal time to water is early morning before the sun is most intense. This will cut down on the evaporation, which cuts down on consumption. Winds are usually calmer in the morning, which will reduce drift. Longer watering periods with less frequently are recommended over shorter, more frequent watering periods. Frequent shallow waterings encourage weed germination, and they also cause plants roots to grow shallow, leaving the plant more susceptible to drought and to certain diseases. Water deeply to encourage deeper plant roots.

Rain barrels are a good way to capture and reuse runoff from a home’s roof. A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from a roof that would otherwise be lost to runoff. Typically, a rain barrel is constructed with a 55-gallon drum. A screen is placed over the top to keep debris and mosquitoes out of the barrel. A small segment of garden hose is used to tap into the water supply. A separate overflow hose is attached in case the barrel fills with water. Rain barrels are a simple and inexpensive way to conserve and reuse water.