If you live in Metro Vancouver, you have experienced those few brief weeks where we get lots of bright sunshine and the summer heat that comes with it. However, that same sunshine can wilt the flowers in our gardens and turn our beautiful green lawns into a yellowish-brown desert. The natural reaction for most of us is to reach for the garden hose or turn on the sprinkler. Here are some tips for conserving water outdoors this summer.
Water Early AM or Late PM
Water the garden early in the morning before the sun is in full force or in the evening as the sun sets. When you water at these times there is less of a chance that it will evaporate before it reaches the root systems.
Low-Maintenance Garden
Consider implementing more sustainable landscaping practices. Use perennials instead of annuals in your flowerbeds. Replace high-maintenance plants, shrubs, and flowers with native plants, grasses, and bushes. Look for species of drought-resistant plants at local garden centres throughout Metro Vancouver. A low-maintenance garden consisting of perennials and other types of native flora reduces the amount of water needed to maintain it.
Install a Rain Barrel
A rain barrel is ideal for collecting and storing water that you can then use for your thirsty garden. A rain barrel is relatively easy to integrate into your gutter system. If you DIY, you can install one underneath a downspout in half a day. If your property is large and you have the room, consider installing a series of connecting rain barrels, preferably in the backyard, to increase the amount of rainwater that can be used for lawn maintenance. It can be an eco-friendly way to further control runoff and its effect on your landscaping.
Irrigation System Guidelines
An irrigation system that is not properly maintained can leak, become clogged, or develop cracks. Check sprinkler heads and valves to see they are still in good working order and not broken.
Ensure that the heads of an irrigation system are positioned so it’s watering your lawn, flowerbeds, etc. and not spraying your siding, driveway, sidewalk, garage, or deck.
Install a rain sensor so that the system is not operational when it’s raining.
Unless it is necessary for specific plants in your garden, replace misting sprinkler heads with ones that spray larger drops – there is less chance droplets evaporate or are blown away.
Keep the water pressure of your system at an appropriate level.
Use Mulch
Place mulch on top of the soil in flowerbeds, around plants in vegetable gardens, and at the base of trees shrubs, and bushes. Mulch helps slow down the process of evaporation, keeping plants and trees hydrated for longer periods of time and reducing the number of times during a week they require watering. Mulching has the added bonus of suppressing weeds and repelling bugs, particularly if the mulch includes cedar.
Weed Your Garden
If you’re busy and barely get time to do some gardening, don’t skip weeding duties. When weeds get a hold of a flowerbed or vegetable garden they rob the immediate area of nutrients and moisture. Weeding your garden regularly reduces the amount of water needed to keep flowers, plants, and vegetables healthy and producing.
Water only part of the Lawn
Of course curb appeal is important to you. To help conserve water, water only a portion of the landscaped area. Since the front yard is probably the part of your property that’s seen the most keep the front lawn watered but give the backyard a break – it will green up soon enough.
Use Water Wisely
Be aware of how much water you are using and how you are using it. To use water wisely:
- Use a bucket to wash your car or a hose with a trigger grip
- Sweep the driveway, patio, deck, sidewalk, or pathway instead of using the garden hose to clear away debris and dirt
- Water only when your garden needs it
- Don’t water the garden after a recent rainfall
