After getting the utility costs down inside this year, I plan on heading off the rise in my water bill from lawn/garden maintenance pronto–no more learning the hard way for me. Although I get quite a bit of rain in my area, I still have to water pretty regularly in the summer months {nothing like the hotter regions of the country, though}. I have used these watering saving tips in the past with success, so I thought I would pass them onto you so you can use them as they apply to your area:
- Water early in the morning or late in the evening. That will cut down on evaporation.
- Mulch your plants. Give their roots a layer of cool insulation, that way, they can retain water.
- Plan a rainwater collection system. That is FREE water {after initial investment costs}. I love pretty much anything that is free.
- Group plants with the same watering requirements together. That way, you don’t over-water/under-water any of them.
- If you plan on putting a walking path in your yard, use porous materials–like gravel or bark. That way, any water run-off will soak back into the surrounding areas.
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn when you mow, instead of bagging them. That way, it will shade the roots of the grass and retain moisture.
- Aerate your lawn in the spring. It makes it easier for your lawn to pull in moisture.
- In the west, most varieties of grass only need about 2.5 cm of water per week. You may be over-watering unintentionally.
- Dig a circular trench around plants so that water will stay where it needs to…it’s like a moat for the plant to draw on.
- Water slowly for a longer period of time, rather than blasting the spot with a hose for a couple of seconds. That way, the soil can absorb the water without it just running off to places you don’t need to water.
How do YOU conserve water in your garden/yard the summertime?
~Mavis
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Hi Mavis,
I propped each bin up on scrap stone (free from landscapers), old tires, metal rails – basically anything I could find. I am a big believer in upcycling. I set up everything for $92. I estimate about 35 square feet of planting area.
Arugula was bonkers.
Cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, and basil in the summer lettuce pool.
Pine branch teepee for cucumbers to climb
Burgandy okra.
I also have a little tea/ herb garden I stuck in the landscaping in the front of my house. Oregano, lemon thyme, chamomile, pineapple sage, garden sage, lavender, and rosemary so far. In this picture you can see my worm bin up on the porch. 
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