More frequent periods of drought, lower rainfall, water restrictions, risk of fire… In recent years, messages encouraging people not to waste water have multiplied. Indeed, the various climatic events that we experience push us to acquire new reflexes, more respectful of the environment. To avoid wasting water, an essential resource in the garden, here are 15 simple tips to apply, whether you are a beginner or an expert!
1. Choose compound lawns
Very demanding in terms of watering, lawns require a lot of water to keep their splendour. In addition, some composite lawns can drastically reduce water consumption, such as lawns composed of clover!
2. Choose plants that require less water
Also take into account the criterion of resistance to drought during your next purchases and favor plants adapted to your region! Indeed, these plants will need much less care and will be able to flourish (almost) without your intervention!
3. Recycle household waste water
Kitchen water, bath water, vegetable rinsing water… All can be used in the garden, provided of course that you do not use harmful chemicals for your plants!
4. Acquire a rainwater collector or a fitted gutter
Although its initial cost is significant, the water collector can save a significant amount of water over the weeks, and therefore save on your overall bills. For the lowest incomes, we advise you to install a fitted gutter, to allow you to recover rainwater in peace.
5. Use a water dispenser
Water dispensers have the advantage of being able to effectively control the flow of water used by your plantations. You can find them commercially, in the form of wedges that can be screwed onto water bottles. For those who have more means, you can buy a drip irrigation system or a timer, which waters according to the needs of your plantations!
6. Take care of your soil and your plants before summer
Before the start of summer, it is advisable to hoe, but also ridge to limit water loss by evaporation and facilitate water penetration.
7. Get a water retainer
In the form of a gel to be incorporated into the substrate, the water retainers act like sponges, gradually releasing the accumulated water. A particularly valuable tool that avoids overloading the soil with water!
8. Spot any leaks
Leaks can actually be a big source of waste. So make sure there are no leaks by monitoring your meter!
9. Limit daytime watering
In the garden, try to limit watering as much as possible, especially when done in the middle of the day! Indeed, with the heat, the water evaporates, without having had time to penetrate the ground.
10. Find out about the weather beforehand
Before watering your plantations, look at the weather forecast: it may be that the same day or the next day, a heavy rain falls in your area.
11. Mulch at the base of the plants
To avoid watering your plantations too often, mulch the feet of your plants with organic recovery materials, compost or fertilizer. Your plants will thus have much less water needs because your soils will retain the freshness better!
12. Install aerators on your faucets
Aerators actually allow you to save water because they inject tiny air bubbles into the water and thus reduce the flow rate by 30-50%, without any loss!
13. Don’t forget to turn off the water at the end of your gardening session
This advice may seem obvious to you, and yet! Many gardeners forget to turn off the water, or at least don’t turn off the garden hoses completely. Result: a large quantity of water lost and waterlogged soils!
14. Adapt containers
Make sure each plant has the right size container. Indeed, a plant that thrives in a pot that is too small requires more frequent watering.
15. Weed regularly
Weeds also drink water from plants. So, to avoid watering it for nothing, remember to weed regularly.
LR