Water-saving solutions for your Home Garden

Gardening is every environmentalist’s dream. With the extended greenspace comes the dire need to protect the resource which gives the breath of life to that very creation.

Quite a few of us are aware of the toll felt when the motor maintenance is delayed by a few hours- how the world stands still, unable to move an inch.

The least we can do is take steps to save this globally utile resource, even more so for the things that make us happy.

Here are some helpful water saving solutions for your home’s green belt, which will keep your water footprint as green as the greenery around you.

SELF-RELIANT POTS
Pots that are reliant enough to water themselves, with a little help from you ofcourse. Quite simple to use, they come in various shapes and sizes depending on the particular plant you would like to add to your garden and are one of the best inventions to save water.

What they need is a fill according to the amount of water required by the specific plant. Here is an interesting video where you can see the self-watering pots in action. Also, they serve as a pretty light investment for budget-conscious gardeners.


MADE FOR LESS
When you go about picking plants for your green belt, it is extremely important to be mindful of your choice. Plants are categorised under different levels of ‘thirsty’ with some requiring ample water while some being happier with a little sprinkling.

Adding drought tolerant plants to your family also serves as a great choice for people who are too invested to give their petite greens enough time and care.

Some options of these well hydrated beauties are bougainvillea, agave, aloe vera, cactus, lavender, and marigold. They are as beautiful as they come and don’t demand too much from you or the environment.


MULCH IT UP
You’ll come across this golden piece of information as soon as you begin your research on water-saving solutions. Mulch acts as a thick layer of compost which automatically raises the moisture level of the soil under it. It works as a secret agent by reducing evaporation levels. The best thing is how one can make it right at home with a mix of wood chips, organic waste, or even banana peels.

As it makes the soil rich in moisture, your plant requires less water, thus saving more.

HARVESTING NATURE
It’s actually quite simple to utilise the concept of rain water harvesting instead of letting it marinate inside EVS books. There are multiple ways to harvest rainwater with the options of barrels, or multiple containers, although they can be a welcome sign for insects.

Be smarter and invest in foolproofing your rainwater system by adding cisterns to your garden space. Cisterns are perfect to store rainwater with a network of supplying taps all the way from the rooftop. They are automatically filled as soon as there is a shower, saving water from roof runoffs.


What adds a whole new level of convenience with cisterns is the taps attached to them which can be used to refill water for multiple purposes.

ALL HAIL THE RAIN GARDEN
Rain gardens are the smartest ways to restore nature’s balance. They work as water breakers to hold back and soak wasteful runoff from rains or overflowing barrels. Apart from saving water, you’ll also be lending your hand in keeping floods at bay. They look like a regular garden, with the exception of having a depressed surface. The plants one uses in their rain garden should be tolerant for a range of moisture conditions. The best thing about rain gardens is how they dry out within twenty four hours and look aesthetically pleasing.

PLAN YOUR PLANT SETTINGS


This is probably one of the smartest ways to save water. Planning the placement of your plants according to their water demands means saving gallons. Begin by placing the thirsty ones in one place and the drought tolerant in another bunch. This segregation also helps when you go about setting your irrigation system, while saving a lot of time and water.

WATER SAVING DEVICES
Did you know there is a device called a rain gauge which can keep track of an upcoming storm? Having this piece of information is essential in keeping the watering at bay when a storm is nigh. It helps in knowing the air’s moisture levels which gives you plenty of idea of the saturation level in your plants.

There is another equipment called a moisture meter which has the ability to test your plant’s moisture level, and we don’t even need to say how helpful that is in saving tons of water.

BE WISE ABOUT YOUR SPRINKLERS
There have been some great inventions in the sprinkling field since water saving turned into a cardinal thought. Depending on one’s garden needs, one particular type that stands out is the non-adjustable oscillating sprinkler which offers multiple patterns to spray water. It consists of levels and buttons which help direct water at the particular spot of your choice, thus reducing unnecessary wastage.

DRIP WATERING
Contrary to what’s known, it’s quite easy to install DIY drip irrigation. It’s simple to install and benefits greatly as the water is directly delivered to the roots of the plants

Apart from this, there are many ways one can save water while consciously practising their true love for gardening. Try to utilise the water used in cooking to give your plants. Be mindful of the containers you choose which don’t let the water run off too easily, terracotta makes for a nice choice. Water is the glue that balances the universe, let’s try to ease the burden on it with every activity that we partake.