One Tough Gardener

It is hard to imagine those hot summer days at this time of year. When the heat does arrive, watering can be time consuming, costly and sometimes wasteful.

Water smarter by trying these simple techniques:

Install water collection systems that collect water from downspouts. There are many rain barrel options. Remember that collection is the first step and usage is the second. The more difficult the rain barrel is to use the less likely you will use it.  Having multiple water spigots and mosquito mesh are great features. Place rain barrels next to areas that might need extra watering such as planters or pots.

When choosing plants, choose varieties that will thrive in our natural environment.

Group plants that have similar watering requirements together in your landscape. If you have a water hogging plant among drought tolerant plants you end up watering to the water hogger’s needs which can be very wasteful.

Use an automatic irrigation system and even install rain sensors. Let’s face it, putting a sprinkler out on the lawn and leaving it for hours is not an effective way to water. The result is over saturated soils and runoff. Drip lines and pop up heads that produce droplets reduce evaporation and overspray. Timing the watering of lawns to stop watering just before the point of saturation is ideal because roots still need oxygen and can be stressed in constant saturation.

Water deep and less often. This will help the roots of your plants stretch to find moisture deeper rather than relying on more frequent shallow watering.

Happy Gardening,

Kirsten