8 Basic Rules for Sensible Garden Watering

Year after year, the population is increasing and alarming climate changes are taking place. All this means that fresh water resources, without which life is impossible, is at most risk. Scientists predict that by 2050 all sources of drinking water may have completely dried up. So start taking care of the environment today and make some changes in your back yard. The most important thing is to water sensibly. It really doesn't take much to reduce water consumption. Plants won't suffer and your wallet will certainly feel the difference.

Yes, the right time of day is extremely important. Water your plants in the morning or evening. Earlier hours are better because the water soaks in faster and evaporates more slowly (the sun is not yet getting in strongly). Evening watering is not bad either, but then the soil doesn't absorb the water so quickly and the risk of fungal diseases increases.

Water your garden less often but more abundantly. The water flow should not be too strong and the entire irrigation should be spread out over time (there's nothing worse than a sudden and powerful flood of the beds). If you give the plants too little water, the water does not soak deeply into the soil and does not reach the root system (approx. 7inch below the surface). And if you water too often, the seedlings will root poorly and will not be able to survive the drought.

When watering, direct the water stream to the ground and make sure it gets under the plants. Also avoid soaking the leaves, as this is the first step towards the development of fungal diseases. The work will be easier with garden hoses available on the market with special tips (guns, nozzles) that allow you to adjust the strength of the water jet.

A feature of light, sandy soil is that it dries out fairly quickly. But you can slow down this process. Simply spread a layer of mulch or bark on the soil surface. This will slow down the evaporation of water. You can also use hydrogel. It comes in the form of powder or granules. Mixed with soil it can absorb and store a large amount of rainwater, which it then gradually "releases" to the roots of the plants.

If you have a large garden, invest in stationary sprinklers that deliver water through hoses buried in the ground or spread over the surface. With these you can water a large lawn or just specific trees and shrubs (spot watering). The most versatile are rotating sprinklers.

When planting a garden, plant plants that have similar water needs next to each other (it's easier to adjust the intensity of watering). You can also bet on xerophytes, or dry-loving plants. These include succulents, sedum, honeysuckle, irises, tulips, juniper, conifers, lavender, carnations. An interesting solution is also to design the green area in such a way that there are slopes. By watering the higher positions first, you will make the excess water flow downwards.

Catching rainwater and using it to water your garden is one of the most eco-friendly solutions. Just place a barrel under the gutter. This is the easiest way. More advanced methods can be found in my previous text: How to collect rainwater and use it in the garden?

In addition to rainwater, used water will also work well for irrigation. This is the water produced in households when washing vegetables, washing hands, dishes or bathing. It is not suitable for drinking, but it is not sewage either. Of course, it should not contain detergents, soap or other care products. It should be used before 24 hours.

Did you know these tricks before ?