Waterwise Equipment & Techniques

No matter where you live, being a water wise gardener makes environmental and economic sense.  And it’s really easier than you think.

Use rain barrels to capture rain off your roof or directly from the sky.  Decorate or mask the barrels with nearby plantings.

And connect your rain barrel to a soaker hose installed in a nearby garden.  Just open the spigot and allow gravity to slowly empty the water throughout the day.

Using soaker hoses and drip irrigation will also save water by applying the water directly to the soil where it is needed.

Group moisture-loving plants together.  You’ll save time and money spent watering by skipping those drought tolerant plants and lawns that can recover from drought induced dormancy.

Always water thoroughly and less frequently to encourage deep drought- tolerant roots.  And mulch the soil to conserve moisture, keep roots cool, and suppress weeds.  

A bit more information:  Use several linked rain barrels or a larger cistern to collect and store large quantities of water.   You can collect 623 gallons of water from 1,000 square feet of roof in a one inch rainfall.