Lifehack logo

How to Conserve Water

in Your Garden

By Shelley WengerPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
Like
Photo Courtesy of Canva

It can be hard to have a successful garden in areas where droughts are common. You have to be very careful with the amount of water that you use. You can't just water your garden every time that it gets dry. Many consider that a waste of water, even though you are trying to feed yourself and your family.

Because of this, you are going to have to find creative ways to keep your garden going strong while conserving as much water as you possibly can. Here are some tips to help you grow a garden full of plentiful vegetables.

Use mulch in your garden. Many people think that mulch is only used for the look, the truth is that it helps to reduce the amount of water that you need to use in your garden. It helps with evaporation, so your garden won't need as much water.

Collect rain in a rain barrel. Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water. Instead of using water from your well, you can reuse the water that falls from the sky. You may even want to hook up your gutters to the rain spout, so you are able to collect even more water.

Photo Courtesy of Canva

Choose your plants carefully. Though you may have a good idea about the plants that you want to have in your garden, the truth is that you need to choose carefully. Native plants are usually best because they are used to the area. They have survived for generations, even in areas that have droughts on a regular basis. They are used to surviving without a lot of water, so you shouldn't have to water them as often.

Weed, weed, and weed some more. Though you may hate the chore, weeding is very important. Weeds will compete against your plants for water, so the less weeds there are, the more water there will be for your plants. If you keep your garden free of weeds, your garden has a better chance of succeeding.

The time that you water your plants is equally important. The best time to water your plants is early in the morning. If you wait until it is really hot, evaporation will occur. Most of the water that you just used won't even reach the ground.

Photo Courtesy of Canva

You also shouldn't water your garden unless you need to. The truth is that many people feel like they have to constantly water their garden in order for it to do well. Some even add water when it is raining!

However, there is no reason to overwater your garden. That is just a waste of good water. When you use too much water, you are making your plants more vulnerable to disease, pests, and drought. Only water on an as-needed basis.

If you are worried about overwatering your garden, you just need to keep an eye on it. If the plants look droopy and have changed color, it is time to start using that rainwater.

If you want a garden that you can be proud of, without wasting water, you can do it. You just have to use mulch and a rain barrel. The mulch will hold in water, so you won't need as much. The rain barrel will help to ensure that you aren't using your own well water to get the job done!

You may also want to stick with plants that thrive in your area. They will be used to the droughts that you may be dealing with. Also, keeping up with the weeding is essential. They are going to fight over the water, so it is much better to get them out of there!

garden
Like

About the Creator

Shelley Wenger

Small town country girl in southern Pennsylvania. Raising two boys on a small farm filled with horses, goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, dogs, and a cat. Certified veterinary technician and writer at Virtually Shelley.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.