Water ...
Use less. Save more. Advocate always.
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Tips for conserving water in your
garden
Do not water the sidewalk and driveway.
For some, this may happen accidentally when using a
sprinkler, for others, it is an intentional method to wash
away debris. Think about the energy required to treat and
pump that water - don't waste it on the concrete.
Just One Drop
You can set your drip irrigation system on a timer and water
precisely the area you want (i.e. the roots]. Some of these
systems deliver water literally one drop at a time which is
the best way to maximize your water resources and get the
most from your plants
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Sprinkling Water
A single lawn sprinkler spraying 19 litres per minute uses
more water in just one hour than a combination of ten toilet
flushes, two five minute showers, two dishwasher loads, and
a full load of clothes! Most of the sprinkled water
evaporates if you are watering during the heat of the day.
Instead, plant water-tolerant plants and leave it to mother
nature; use a soaker hose; use wood chips, cedar mulch
and/or leaf debris to trap moisture in the soil below.
Capture Grey Water
Instead of letting water gush into the sewers, divert it to
the garden. Put a big bowl in the sink and a bucket in the
tub. Keep in mind that tiny bits of food and natural soaps
will not harm your plants or greens.
Wet Enough
Most regions in Canada receive enough rainwater
throughout the year that lawn watering is only necessary on
occasion in the summer. The grass may start to look dry, but
once it rains, it will green up again. Try switching to
water-tolerant ground covers instead of grass.
Rain barrels
Outdoor watering makes up almost 40% of total household
water use in the summer. A rain barrel will help you save
about 5200 litres of water in the peak summer months. Rain
water is also healthier for your plants than treated tap
water. Place the barrel under your eavestrough downspout to
catch rain water. Use the contents on your yard and indoor
plants.
Try a Soaker Hose
When your lawn and garden needs watering, use a soaker hose.
It will help your household reduce water consumption by up
to 70% and deliver the water only where it is needed.
Did you know? Soaker hoses look like black
garden hoses sporting thousands of tiny holes. These hoses
are designed to be laid out in the garden and covered with
mulch, delivering the water on low-pressure at the roots
where it’s needed. A conventional sprinkler allows most of
its water spray to evaporate.
source:
EcoAction Calculator
http://calculator.ecoactionteams.ca/
See also
Summer Green Tips
