Water is the lifeblood of any garden. Some plants need more than
others though generally speaking a ready and plentiful supply of water
is required to put on to your garden and plants to nurture them, help
them grow and keep them healthy. But what do you do if your water source
may become a problem for instance in cases of unexpected long dry
spells with no rain which see the introduction of water limitations.
Even if you do have a ready and unrestricted supply there are still
things you can do to help with water conservation and still have a tip
top garden. Here's an summary.
Take a look at the plants you do have
in your garden. If any of them are particularly water dependent and need
a lot of focus can you live devoid of them and introduce plants or
flowers which are more hardy and require less watering. Or if you cannot
live without all of them can you cut down to some extent and perhaps
split down and rearrange your plants in to sections. One area for
thirsty things and one section for the not so thirsty things.
This
may save you time and effort as well as water simply for the reason that
you will be watering less which in turn doesn't take the time and
effort required in a full watering situation. Your soil may thank you
also without it being regularly deluged to keep those thirsty plants
happy.
Or instead of plants, could you replace and introduce some
herbs as an alternative. Some herbs are no so water dependent and quite
tough. Herbs can still look and smell good as they are growing and of
course make a great accompaniment to meals so you can enjoy eating what
you have grown. If, however, you prefer to continue to grow plants and
plants then varieties such as lavender are not too thirsty on the water
and look and smell great.
Taking steps to help the soil in your
garden retain water may help also though do carefully consider where
this will and will not be appropriate based on the needs of what you are
growing. For example use of compost on top if the soil and spread
around the base of your plants and shrubs will mean that water you do
apply will not drain away so quickly and the compost itself will help to
make the most of the soil.
Think about introducing water butt to
collect rainwater naturally and then use that on the garden. Just this
little thing can help to reduce the amount of water from your tap so you
will be doing your bit to conserve water. This is fine of course if you
live in an area which has rain fall to normal degrees. If not and you
live in a hot, arid climate with little rainfall then water management
will be a bigger consideration for you and mean that you will be looking
at growing things which are not water dependent to any great degree.
So
do take in to account your existing climate when planning your garden
and what will be best suited to growing in it. As part of that make sure
you factor in water sources accessible to you and how you can be sure
to always have enough and also how you can take some of the simple steps
outlined in this article to help you make the most of it and also
conserve water must you need to do so or live somewhere with little
natural rainfall.
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