Conserving water while gardening has a lot of pros. First off, it can help you save money on your water bill, and even more so if you live in a place where water is limited or expensive to purchase. Second, by limiting the amount of water taken from rivers, lakes, or groundwater, it can help protect your local environment. Finally, it can promote the growth of drought-tolerant plants, minimizing the need for excessive watering and, as a result, making your garden more robust to climate change.
Water conservation reduces the burden on current water resources as well as the requirement for costly expenditures in new water infrastructure. Furthermore, conserving water can assist reduce energy use because pumping and purifying water need a large amount of energy.
How to reduce water usage in landscaping
1. Choose native plants
Native plants are species that grow naturally in a certain area and have evolved to cope with the regional climate, soil, and environmental factors. Native plants are quite often easy to care for as they require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than non-native plants. In landscaping, including native plants can result in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly design, as well as benefits such as attracting local wildlife and enhancing soil health.
2. Group plants according to water needs
Grouping plants is an essential low-maintenance landscaping technique. Planting species with similar demands, such as those with comparable water and light requirements, nearby helps simplify maintenance tasks like watering and pruning. Moreover, planting in groups provides visual appeal and eliminates the need for additional garden features such as irrigation systems or mulch. Planting in groups can also limit weed growth and create a more natural, integrated appearance.
3. Incorporate mulch
Mulch is a low-maintenance landscaping solution that offers various advantages. Mulch can aid in the retention of soil moisture, the regulation of soil temperature, and the suppression of weed growth. It may further improve the health of the soil and the availability of nutrients, as well as give garden beds a polished, uniform appearance. Mulching can also lessen the need for watering, fertilizing, and insect management, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly landscaping solution.
4. Water deeply and infrequently
Another low-maintenance landscaping approach that encourages healthy plant growth and minimizes water waste is deep and infrequent irrigation. Deep, infrequent watering promotes roots to grow deeper into the soil in search of moisture, resulting in plants that are stronger and more resilient. It also reduces water loss from evaporation and runoff, as well as the risk of over-watering, which can result in plant stress, illness, and weed growth. This method also saves time and labor as less frequent watering is required.
5. Use efficient irrigation systems
Water should be distributed efficiently and evenly to garden beds using autonomous irrigation systems such as drip irrigation or sprinklers, avoiding the risk of over or under watering. This also promotes healthy plant growth while reducing weed growth. Irrigation systems can also be programmed on timers, making it simple and convenient to water on a continuous schedule.
By following these tips, you can conserve water on your landscaping this spring and enjoy a beautiful, healthy landscape while reducing water usage and saving money on your water bill. Reducing water usage on your Morristown property’s outdoor spaces can help ensure we have enough clean and safe water for future generations.
Originally Published on April 16, 2021
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