Water Conservation And Your Garden

Water Conservation And Your Garden

Well, you can’t say my blog isn’t diverse. I’m researching all sorts of stuff in the green agenda, and it’s taking me to some interesting places, which, being green, are relevant to the spirit of my blog, and to all of us. I haven’t deserted the Renewable DIY Energy Subject, far from it. I’m finding more and more interesting information on the Renewable DIY Energy front every day. Renewable Energy and Energy conservation are vast subjects, and my aim is to glean as much information as I can, on the whole broad spectrum of conservation and green energy. How we adapt and embrace this new age we live in, will impact our lives and the lives of our future generations. I hope our legacy will be a cleaner, healthier world.
Anyway, back to topic. Greener gardens, as you can see from the article below, can have a very positive effect on the environment, and give us healthier gardens as well. I certainly like our garden very much, even though my wife has the green fingers, and my contribution seems to be limited solely to cutting the grass, a chore about which I have mixed feelings. Actually that’s being pretty diplomatic.
So, greener, more environmentally friendly gardens are the way to go, and again, as with most energy saving and conservation DIY initiatives, are, mostly, not difficult to instigate

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Environment and greener living

Water: using less in the garden

In hot and dry weather, water used outdoors can amount to 50 per cent of total UK usage. It’s possible, however, to have a beautiful and productive garden using very little mains water. Find out more about what you can do.
The wider issue
Increasing demand for water means it’s important to find ways of conserving this valuable resource. Saving water in the garden can help lessen the risk of drought orders and water restrictions, and help protect wildlife.
Treating water before and after use also uses a lot of energy and this contributes to climate change. Conserving water can therefore help to reduce climate change impacts.
Everyday watering tips
Things you can do include:
• use a watering can instead of a hose
• if you do use a hose, use a trigger to control the flow
• avoid using watering can roses, except on young seedlings, as much of the water doesn’t reach the roots where it’s needed
• watering early in the morning or late at night means water doesn’t evaporate in the heat of the day before it can reach the roots
• leave plants and shrubs dry until they show signs of wilting – watering too often can keep roots shallow and weaken plants
• weed regularly to make sure that watering helps plants and not weeds
• prioritise young plants and seedlings; more established plants will survive longer periods without water
Saving water while keeping your lawn healthy
Lawns are usually the thirstiest part of a garden. A sprinkler, for example, can use as much water in an hour as a family of four uses in a day. There are easy steps you can take to reduce the amount of water your lawn needs:
• let the grass grow longer in dry spells to help keep moisture in the soil
• try not to use a sprinkler; if you do, your water company may require you to have a meter fitted
• infrequent soaks will be more effective than frequent sprinkling as they will encourage roots to search for water deeper in the ground
• even if your lawn goes brown in dry weather, it doesn’t mean it has died – it will usually recover when the rain returns
• if you’re redoing your lawn, choose grass varieties that are better suited to dry conditions, like fescue grass or smooth-stalked meadow

Rain Chain Green-It-Yourself Project

Install a water butt
Thousands of litres of rainwater fall on the average roof every year. Collecting this water and using it on your garden is better for your lawn and plants as well as the environment. Other points to consider:
• fit a lid to stop leaves collecting or small animals falling in and drowning
• if you want to collect more water than can be stored in one butt, it’s possible to get a connector kit to link up two or more
• water companies and councils often sell water butts at subsidised prices

Water Catchment System Green-It-Yourself Project

Make use of greywater in the garden
Any water that has been used in the home, except water from toilets, is called greywater. Shower, sink and laundry water can be re-used in the garden during droughts:
• greywater from baths and showers can be used to water non-edible plants
• make sure it is cool before you use it
• avoid pouring it straight on to foliage
Plan a water-efficient garden
Things to consider:
• healthy composted soil will retain moisture and nutrients
• choosing drought-tolerant plants means your garden needs less water
• planting new shrubs and trees through plastic helps to retain moisture and control weeds
• loose mulches (such as wood bark or coarse home compost) around established plants stop water evaporating