Water Conservation Tips For The Heat Of Summer
Summer is a season synonymous with growth, vibrant colours, and outdoor activities, but it should not come at the expense of the environment.
Keeping your garden healthy and vibrant all through the summer requires additional landscaping work, helping to support plant life as it reaches its maximum growth stage. However, this additional care should not be at the expense of our natural resources, like water.
At Heath Landscapes & Garden Design, we understand the crucial role of water conservation, particularly during the parched August months. We are committed to helping you create a stunning outdoor space whilst also prioritising water conservation and other sustainable practices.
In this guide, we are sharing water conservation tips to help you save water while continuing to support your flourishing garden throughout the summer’s most challenging months.
Why is Water Conservation Important?
As a homeowner or a gardening enthusiast, you might not yet understand the significance of water conservation.
It’s easy to become absorbed in our own gardens, oblivious to the world beyond our fences, but the impacts of water conservation affect us all. Even though you may not realise the impact you’re having on the environment, water conservation should be at the forefront of our gardening habits – especially in the height of summer.
Water is a vital resource, and its conservation is key to environmental sustainability and cost savings. Not only does water consumption affect the broader environment, but it also affects your household bills, as the more you use the higher your bills will become. Household bills are something we all aim to reduce, which is another reason to consider implementing water conservation tips into your gardening routine.
During summer, water usage increases significantly as temperatures rise and landscapes become dry. Increased water usage can result in higher bills and potential water shortages, and it’s easy to unwittingly contribute to this problem as you continue your current gardening habits.
By adopting water-wise landscaping practices, you can reduce your water usage, lower your utility bills, and contribute to a more sustainable environment all while continuing to maintain the garden you are proud of, simply by reconsidering your gardening methods.
At Heath Landscapes & Garden Design, our water conservation tips are an efficient way to lessen your environmental impact and financial burden while maintaining an impressive landscape.
What Are The Most Effective Water Conservation Tips For My Garden?
Before adjusting your landscaping schedule or incorporating water conservation tips into your gardening routine, it’s important to understand the specific water needs of your garden.
Different plants have unique water needs and the type of landscape you have can influence the type of care that is required as the season progresses. Some water conservation tips may not suit your specific landscape whereas others may even improve the standards across your garden – but it is your discernment that is the final judge.
Before modifying your landscape and maintenance routines, perform a detailed assessment of the garden. Assessing the garden is necessary to identify areas of your garden that require more water and those that can flourish with less, making it easier for you to determine which water conservation tips best apply.
Landscape assessments can be done by professional landscapers for a more in-depth overview if required.
The Top Water Conservation Tips For All Landscapes
Once you’ve ascertained the water needs of your garden, you can begin to incorporate water conservation tips, ensuring that you are saving water without compromising the health and beauty of your landscape.
These water conservation tips can be used collectively or individually to decrease your water usage, safeguard the environment and aid in maintaining a healthy garden even during the most sweltering months.
Choose Drought-Resistant Plants
One of the most successful water conservation tips is choosing drought-resistant plants. These plants are innately adapted to survive on minimal water and therefore do not need constant watering, even as summer advances and temperatures escalate.
With these plants, you can still experience a lush, thriving garden without the additional watering usually expected during this time of year.
Some good choices for a water-wise garden include:
- Lavender: Renowned for its beautiful purple flowers and aromatic scent, lavender is not only drought-resistant but also attracts pollinators making it a great addition to any thriving garden.
- Sage: With its aromatic leaves and vibrant blooms, sage is an excellent addition to any landscape and does not require constant watering.
- Succulents: These hardy plants store water in their leaves, making them perfect for hot, dry conditions.
- Native Grasses: Native grasses are well-suited to local climates and require less water than traditional lawns. These can vary based on your specific location but can be a great addition to all forms of outdoor spaces across the region.
By incorporating these plants into your garden design, you can create a beautiful and sustainable landscape that requires less water throughout the year, especially during the hot summer months when water usage is usually at its highest.
Implement Efficient Water Irrigation Systems
Efficient irrigation is a critical element of water conservation and can be a valuable tool for all types of landscapes to decrease water usage without impeding plant growth.
Traditional sprinklers can lead to significant water wastage due to evaporation and runoff that usually comes with them, therefore they are not always the best solution for your garden in the summer.
Instead of relying on these traditional systems, consider upgrading to a more efficient irrigation system, such as:
- Drip Irrigation: This method delivers water directly to the roots of plants, reducing evaporation and ensuring that water is used efficiently.
- Soaker Hoses: Similar to drip irrigation, soaker hoses release water slowly and evenly along their length, providing deep watering for plants.
- Smart Irrigation Controllers: These devices adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions, soil moisture levels, and plant needs, ensuring optimal water usage.
Correct upkeep of your irrigation system is also crucial in meeting the needs of your landscape without excessive water usage during the summer.
To upkeep water irrigation systems, you need to frequently check the systems for leaks, clogs, and damaged components to ensure that water is being dispersed efficiently. Any repairs required should be done promptly to prevent issues, such as wasting water and expensive bills.
Mulch Your Garden Beds
Mulching is one of the most efficient yet simple water conversation tips. It can also be one of the cheapest solutions to implement, making it ideal for all kinds of landscapes.
A layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and suppress weeds making it a great all-round tool for healthy landscapes. Organic mulches, such as wood chips, bark, and compost, also improve soil health as they decompose, providing benefits without extra care.
For water conservation tips, apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around your plants, ensuring that it doesn’t touch the stems or trunks, as this helps retain moisture as the season advances.
Water Early in the Morning or Late in the Evening
Timing is crucial when it comes to watering your garden during the summer and adjusting your watering schedule is one of the most effective water conservation tips.
In the summer, it is advisable to water your plants, lawn, and overall landscape during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening. Watering during these cooler times helps to reduce evaporation, allowing plants to absorb water more effectively.
With reduced evaporation, your plants will get the hydration they need so that you don’t need to water them as frequently.
It is advisable to avoid watering during the hottest part of the day in the summer, such as midday or afternoon, as much of the water will evaporate before reaching the roots, essentially wasting water.
Group Plants with Similar Water Needs
Grouping plants with similar water needs is a practical way to ensure efficient watering and is one of the simplest water conservation tips for all kinds of landscapes.
This tip does not require any additional changes or tools but just some basic restructuring of your landscape for better watering schedules. By placing plants with high water requirements together and those with low needs in another area, you can tailor your irrigation efforts to meet their specific needs and limit your water usage across the landscape.
This practice, known as hydrozoning, helps prevent overwatering and underwatering, promoting healthier plant growth without additional water usage.
Reduce Lawn Areas
Traditional lawns require significant watering to stay green and healthy, especially during the hot, dry summer.
As part of ongoing water conservation tips, consider reducing the size of your lawn and replacing it with drought-resistant ground covers, native grasses, or hardscaping elements like gravel, stones, and pavers. This will not only reduce your water usage this summer but for future seasons too.
For any remaining lawn areas, it is recommended that you choose drought-tolerant grass species as these require less frequent watering.
Regardless of the type of lawn in your garden, it is advisable to mow at a greater height during the summer as this encourages deeper root growth and reduces water evaporation.
Collect and Reuse Rainwater
Harvesting rainwater is an excellent way to conserve water and provide your garden with a natural source of hydration all summer long.
Although summer is typically a sun-soaked season, the UK is known for its frequent rainfall – which persists regardless of the season. Although some may not be too happy with this, the likelihood of rain during the summer is good news for environmentally-conscious gardeners.
Install rain barrels or other collection systems to capture rainwater from your roof, and then use this water for watering your garden, washing tools, or other outdoor tasks.
Rainwater is devoid of chemicals commonly found in tap water, making it more beneficial for your plants and helping reduce your energy bills and environmental impact.
Regular Maintenance and Soil Improvement
Maintaining your garden and improving soil quality is crucial for water conservation. Healthy soil retains moisture more effectively and supports robust plant growth.
During the summer, make it a habit to aerate your soil regularly to enhance water infiltration and reduce runoff. You can also incorporate organic matter, such as compost, into your soil to augment its structure and water-holding capacity without any additional expense.
Additionally, promptly address any pest or disease issues to prevent stress on your plants which can increase their water needs by using natural pest repellants throughout the season.
Educate and Involve Your Family
Water conservation is a collective effort, and involving your family can make a significant impact.
Take time during the summer to educate your family members about the importance of saving water and encourage them to participate in water-wise gardening practices with you.
Simple practices, such as turning off taps while washing hands or learning about the benefits of native plants, can instil a lifelong respect for water conservation.
When everyone in the household actively contributes to the garden’s water efficiency, the collective efforts can lead to substantial water savings. By making water conservation a family priority, you not only enhance your garden’s resilience during the summer but also nurture a culture of sustainability that can extend beyond your home.
Conclusion
By implementing these water conversation tips into your summer gardening routine, you can reduce your water usage without compromising the health of your landscape.
Maintaining a thriving garden during the hottest months of the year is possible, without the additional financial or environmental cost, usually associated with this task.
At Heath Landscapes & Garden Design, we take sustainability seriously and implement eco-friendly practices across our services. We use eco-friendly materials from fencing to garden gyms and contribute to local efforts for a greener future.
Water conversation tips can significantly impact your garden and the surrounding environment this summer and beyond.
Contact Us Today
If you are interested in sustainable garden practices or require a professional landscaper, please contact us today.
We provide a range of services to transform your outdoor spaces and can work to meet your environmental desires.
