Wise use of water for garden and lawn waterings not only helps protect the environment, but also saves money and provides for optimum growing conditions.
Simple ways of reducing the amount of water used for irrigation include:
- Mulching
- Adding water-retaining organic matter to the soil
- Installing windbreaks and fences to lower the effect of winds.
Below are two tips for conserving water while watering your lawn:
- Watering in the early morning before the sun is intense helps reduce the water lost from evaporation.
- Installing rain gutters and collecting water from downspouts also helps reduce water use.
Trickle irrigation and drip irrigation systems help reduce water use and meet the needs of plants. With these methods, very small amounts of water are supplied to the base of the plants. Since the water is applied directly to the soil, rather than onto the plant, evaporation from leaf surfaces is reduced. The water is also placed where it will do the most good, rather than sprayed over the entire garden.
An irrigation system can be easy to install. Numerous products are readily available for home use. The simplest irrigation system consists of a soaker hose that is laid out around the plants and connected to an outdoor spigot. No installation is required and the hose can be moved as needed to water the entire garden.
Tip: Many drip irrigation systems are designed to be used with low water pressure, under 25 pounds per square inch (psi). Normal municipal water pressure is about 55 psi, therefore a pressure regulator should be installed to help further reduce your water usage.
If you still have a need to water your lawn using sprinklers, consider an automated lawn sprinkler system. These sprinkler systems are designed to water your landscape more precisely and efficiently than doing it manually. Today’s technology uses weather sensors to calculate how much water is required and when it’s most needed.
Unlike drip irrigation systems, which you can install yourself, it’s best to have automated sprinkler systems installed by professionals who can optimize the design of the system to suit the layout of your landscape.
Sources: USDA
