Water Conservation Tips for Your Yard during the Hot Summer Months

Summer months and water usually go hand-in-hand. The hot and dry weather means that youand your garden will be requiring a lot of water. Sadly, not every household knows how to use water efficiently during these warm weather months. So here are nine tips that’ll help you conserve water for your yard this summer:

1.    Look for drought-resistant and plants that are tolerant of high temperatures to plant in your garden. A quick search on the internet will tell you the type of plant that’s best for your area. 

2.    Carry out proper soil preparation. Use organic soil fertilizers to develop strong root systems. That way, your plants will find it easy to get water for themselves and use it better. You also need to aerate your soil. Break up compacted soil as it prevents water penetration.

3.    Applying mulch to all bare soil is a great way to reduce weed infestation and conserve water. The mulch should also be applied around the garden parts and your plants.

4.     Develop a container garden instead. You’ll find it easier to avoid plants that are growing in containers, indoor gardens, wheelbarrow gardens, and planters. 

5.    Do your watering early in the morning or late in the evening. That way your plants will have enough time to absorb the water before the sun comes out. 

6.    Watering with hot water will not only stress out your plants, it’ll also damage their health so keep an eye out for hot hoses. Store your hose in a cool dry place out of the reach of the sun.

7.    Less is better. This means you should reduce the rate of watering. It may sound counterproductive, but it is not. It is better to carry out deeper watering, which is more effective and keeps your plant healthy, than shallow watering. You can prevent runoff by setting a timer to your water. Once the timer rings, turn off the water and allow it tosoak in before starting up again. How do you know if the water is enough? Simple. Measure your water output either with a rain gauge that is placed near your sprinkleror by filling a can with water and using a ruler to measure the water that was collected. A single deep watering will help your plant root systems grow deeper and stronger making it possible for them to find water on their own. 

8.    Soaker hoses and drip irrigators that are attached to timers are excellent for flower and vegetable gardens. They depositthe water in the spot it’s most needed;inthe root zones. This way, you avoid losing water to evaporation and there won’t be any mold from your wet plan leaves.

9.    Water your plants and not the walkway. Remember to adjust your sprinklers so that they only water your plants and not the road, your driveway, or the sidewalk. You should also carry out regular checks on your systems to make sure that sprinkler heads are still functional and aimed properly.