How To Conserve Water In The Garden

Watering your garden is a very important step in the process of growing your fruit and vegetables. It can also be of big concern when it comes to using too much or too little. How do you find that fine balance? That answer can be different from yard to yard, and from state to state. Here are some tips that will help.

1. Water in the morning. Watering in the early morning before the sun warms up the air and ground will help to prevent most of the water being lost to evaporation. Watering at night might also do that, however, you might also open up the possibility for fungus and mold to grow with the water having such a long time to sit. The plants are better prepared for the day with a nice drink of water first thing in the morning.


2. Use drip irrigation vs sprinkler. The whole plant dose not need to get wet for it to get the water it needs. The roots are where the water is needed, so watering directly over the root system will get it right where it needs it. It also opens up the possibility for disease and fungus to grow on your plants if watered by sprinkler. Hand watering is also a great option for a small garden, just focus the water on the ground, and not on the whole plant. Placing jugs in the ground next to the plant is a good option for hand watering.


3. Mulch Mulch Mulch. Regularly adding a nice organic mulch to the top of your soil around plants not only helps the soil to prevent the soil from drying out as quickly, but it also adds nutrients and makes your soil the nice airy texture.


4. Chose the right variety. Different climates support different plants better. So finding out what grows well in your climate will go a long way in knowing if your plant will need more water or less water than your garden will support.


5. Check the soil. Before you water, you can check the soil to see if it needs more water. Just stick your finger in up to you middle knuckle, and if it feels nice and moist, then you can wait. Checking often will keep your plants growing well because they will be getting the right amount of water.

These are simple steps you can take to not only conserve water in your garden, but grow a garden that the neighbors will envy.

Happy Gardening!