Tag: Waterwise

Install a Rain Barrel This Summer

If you are concerned about conserving water resources and
have noticed runoff or erosion issues in your community, your
home might be the perfect environment for a rain barrel!
You’ll especially love rain barrels if you are busy gardening.
during the summer months.


According to the United States Geological Survey, a 1-inch
rainstorm over a 40×70 foot roof can equal over 1,700 gallons
of water. Imagine all the ways you could use that water if you
could keep it on your property! That is where rain barrels
come in.

Rain barrels utilize a large container that is designed to collect
rainwater. These can be either store-bought or homemade, but
the purpose is the same: collect rainwater for plant irrigation.
Rain barrels can reduce flooding along with irrigating plants
like woody and herbaceous ornamentals along with lawns.
Rain barrels also direct water away from home foundations
and therefore can prevent basement flooding and save on
costs. In addition, rain barrels reduce the amount of water
running into lakes and rivers, thus reducing erosion and
storm water pollution.
Now is the time that you might ask yourself, “Is the water safe
to use in my vegetable garden?” Unfortunately, there are
limited studies to answer this question fully, but a few have
been done on asphalt roofs. Because of possible leaching from
asbestos roofs, it is generally recommended to avoid using a
rain barrel to catch and use that water. Rutgers researchers
found that heavy metal and pathogen levels did not exceed
EPA standards, but precautions should be taken to minimize
risk. Most notably, the water should be treated with 1/8 a
teaspoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of water. This
amounts to about an ounce if you have a standard 55-gallon
rain barrel. After applying the bleach, wait 24 hours before
using the water.

Rain barrels should be installed on even surfaces that are
slightly raised to increase pressure and encourage the flow of
water when emptying. Be sure to secure the rain barrel to
prevent tipping as they are very heavy when full and can be a
hazard. Be sure the inlet leads is protected by a screen to
prevent debris from clogging your hoses.
To maximize the conversation impact of your new rain barrel,
consider planting drought resistant plants such as native
Illinois prairie plants. These plant roots are deep and can
handle large rainfalls along with the hot dry summers.
Consider planting them along the path of your rain barrel
overflow spout to create a small rain garden and absorb the
extra water

By Gemini Bhalsod for gardeners_corner_2019_summer.pdf (illinois.edu)

7 Ways to Conserve Water in the Garden

It’s possible to reduce outdoor water use by 20 to 50 percent with a few easy changes. To keep your water bill low and plants looking perky, try these tips below.

 

Follow these steps to use water smartly and still keep your plants happy and healthy.

Check out these Genius Gardening Hacks You’ll be Glad to Know:

This collection of gardening and landscaping handy hints will give you effective new techniques to get the beautiful garden and backyard you’ve always wanted.

Improve the Soil

Supplement your soil with compost, chopped-up leaves or composted manure. These organic materials increase soil’s water-holding capacity. A good rule of thumb is to add one inch of compost per year.

Water Deeply

Give your plants a solid soak. While sprinklers do the job, a soaker hose works even better. It applies the water directly to the soil by the roots, so up to 90 percent is actually available to plants.

Just Add Mulch

Spread mulch. It prevents weeds from growing and soaking up all the water you add to the planting area. A layer of mulch provides the most bang for your buck. Organic mulches are best; try grass clippings free of weedkillers, evergreen needles and shredded leaves.

Save Rainwater

Be extra frugal and capture all the free water you can. Place rain barrels or a cistern at your downspouts. A 1,000-square-foot roof collects about 625 gallons of water from just one inch of rain.

Prepare the Garden Site

Know the characteristics of your planting site, such as the amount of sun and shade it receives, soil type and wind conditions. Make a plan to group plants with similar needs, like drought-tolerant flowers.

Read Plant Tags

Shop with drought-tolerance in mind. Some plants get all the water they need from rain, so once established they require less attention. If you’re looking for perennials suited for drought conditions, your best bet is usually native plants that are adapted to your climate and soil type.

Remove the Competition

Keep up with garden chores. Healthy plants mean less work! When you stay on top of tasks such as weeding, thinning and pruning, you add to the health of your plants and in turn need to water less frequently.

Timely article from Birds & Blooms Editors 

Photo credit:  GUIDO MIETH/GETTY IMAGES

Related:  Save Water in your Garden and Landscape – TUTORING YOU

Ways to Conserve Water in Your Garden and Landscape

Rain, rain everywhere…. except here and now.  What happened to the bountiful rains of late spring?  They went bye-bye.  Now it’s August and the lawn and plants are in desperate need of moisture. So, drag out the sprinklers and get busy.  There must be a better way, right?

So, I discovered some handy tips on this very subject, how to save water and still have a head-turning landscape. Take a look.

Use an Adjustable Sprinkler

Conserving water in the landscape starts with re-thinking the ways you use and apply water to plantings. Trade in a non-adjustable oscillating sprinkler for one that offers multiple watering patterns. By sliding levers or pushing buttons, adjustable sprinklers let you direct water to where it’s needed — and avoid wasteful runoff.

Install Drip Irrigation

One of the best ways to water plants efficiently is with drip irrigation. DIY drip irrigation systems combine professional grade materials with simple installation. The result is water being delivered directly to the root zone of plants, eliminating runoff and losses through evaporation.

Harvest Rain with Cisterns

Cisterns provide a large water storage option for roof runoff. Think of them like a rain barrel on steroids. A covered cistern eliminates insect issues that can develop with open rain barrels. Most large cisterns include a pump to speed water flow from the tanks.

Add Mulch

Cover bare soil with mulch to help slow water evaporation. A mulch layer that’s 2 to 3 inches deep helps retain soil moisture and reduce weed sprouting.

Replace or Reduce Lawn

Replace part of a water-guzzling lawn with outdoor living and dining rooms. Modern building materials make it possible to design a deck that fits into the tightest spaces.
Source:  hgtv.com/outdoors
More conservation tips here: