5 Water Saving Tips for Your Organic Garden

By Tim Sparke

Asides the fact that gardening can provide an exciting hobby and passion in retirement; it is also a socially responsible activity that promotes sustainability, reduces the carbon footprint, and provides a constant supply of healthy foodstuff at cheaper rates. Add this to the fact that gardening can also be used as an efficient family bonding activity to spend more time with the children and grandchildren – this, I believe is one of the beauties of retirement.

However, well-managed gardens are beneficial, breathtaking and all, but what about the harmful pesticides and high water bills, you ask? Fear not… Nothing is going to keep you from your gardening ventures – especially not chemicals and your plants’ never-ending need to guzzle water. Read on to find out how to keep your organic garden healthy and quenched, while still saving LOADS on your water bill!

fall scents for your home

Save excess water that would otherwise go to waste

Waiting for the shower to heat up? Depending on the showerhead, one gallon of water could easily gush out of the pipes and back down the drain; completely unused, in the time it takes you to run to get a towel. Since you’re paying for it regardless, you should make use of it. Place a bucket under the water flow to gather the excess water. Instead of wasting it, give it to your garden inhabitants! It may not seem like much, but by doing this every day, you could save 365 gallons of water at the end of the year. That’s 365 (essentially free) gallons of water that your plants will be thankful to have.

Focus on organic plants with low water needs

If you’re trying to conserve water, buying plants accustomed to tropical environments is extremely counterproductive. Instead of introducing thirsty, high maintenance plants to your garden, try bringing in some desert-native plants (keep in mind that these do require a good amount of sun). Though, they may seem a bit drab, not all desert plants are as basic as barrel cacti. There are various species that grow flowers, have a bright green hue, and may even be a bit more interesting to look at than run of the mill tulips and daffodils. Succulents are a very good example of these low maintenance aesthetically pleasing plants. They require little care, and come in a wide array of colors, shapes, and sizes. There are even red succulents that resemble roses!

Check the weather

This seems a little silly and obvious, but it’s something that’s often overlooked. If you live in an area that gets a decent amount of rain, why not let nature water your garden for you? Before heading out to give your plants expensive water (that you’re paying for), check the local weather report. If the forecast calls for rain that day, don’t water your garden! You’ll only be wasting money, and may even end up overwatering the plants. Also, when planning a garden structure, account for your area’s weather. Is it typically sunny, cloudy, or Cold? All these factors can affect your plants’ need for water. For instance, if you live in a very sunny climate, plant tall plants above smaller ones. This will help shade the little ones and keep them cool and moist. Too much direct sunlight can dry them out and either kill them or make them need more water than usual.

Use landscaping to your advantage

There are many garden designs that are both stunning and environmentally friendly. They can help you save a lot of money on water for your organic garden. One example is mound building around trees. Take the plant’s surrounding soil and mound it up into a big circle, making sure that the mound surrounds the tree’s roots (the makeshift dam’s walls should be a few inches tall). Now, flood the circle with water until the water reaches the top of the mound. This will allow the water to stay in one place as it slowly seeps into the tree’s roots. When compared to sprinklers, water mounding can be a much more efficient way of watering trees and other large plants, as less water has the chance to evaporate.

water saving tips 2

Use organic matter

As you probably know, implementing humus into your organic garden’s soil is a great way to enrich your plants with nutrients in a natural way. However, humus is also very good at absorbing and holding water. When you water the soil, the humus around the plants will grab the water and hold it, keeping the soil from drying out as quickly as it normally would. This will allow you to go longer between waters, while your plants stay just as hydrated. As an added bonus, this water the humus holds will be full of beneficial nutrients and vitamins, which will then seep into your plants as they guzzle the water. Using humus is a truly underrated way of saving water in your garden in an organic, natural way.

water saving 3

Overall, maintaining your organic garden will make your home stand-out, beautiful, protect your investment and the environment and give you a space for family time and activities. Maintenance could have a substantial impact on your pocket, but employing these easy tips would sure help you save a lot more than you normally would.

Author Bio

Tim Sparke is an avid gardener who advocates for organics and sustainability. He also has a passion for writing and blogs at 4 Pumps.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 Water Saving Tips for Your Organic Garden
Scroll to Top