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Living in a rural county, many of us still know people who get their water from springs or who don’t have indoor plumbing. The majority of us, supplied with water from a well, may not be as acutely aware of water usage compared to people who haul their own H20, yet we are ever watchful. City dwellers receive bills for their water consumption, but here, a dry w ell is the bill nature sends us when groundwater is depleted.
Indoor water conservation isn’t in this column’s purview, as much as it affects availability of water for gardening. Focusing on the garden, though, there are many practices which will create a sounder, healthier, drought resistant oasis.
Water
One of the most obvious solutions is to get some rain barrels. Sold in various sizes, ranging from approximately 30-75 gallons, rain barrels can collect an amazing amount of water in a very short time. We have two 55 gallon barrels, placed under downspouts which fill up in under an hour-not a feat to be sniffed at! These barrels, like most sold in catalogs, came with screened lids to keep away mosquito larvae, protect children and animals; spigots with an attached hose, an overflow hose and linking capability. With a linking system, multiple barrels can be connected to catch the overflow from the main barrel. Ten 75 gallon barrels could fill up with an inch or so of rain.
For the do-it-yourself types, watertight whiskey barrels or large garbage cans may be outfitted with screens and spigots. Check out www. rainbarrelsandmore.com for these accessories. Most rain barrels need to be drained for the winter, so be sure to read product information carefully.
Watering practices are also something to be looked at as conservation opportunities. Sprinkler watering is wasteful as is watering above plants with a hose. With the exception of leafy vegetables, which can benefit from a periodic misty sprinkle in hot midday, plants need to be watered at their roots. Base watering also helps to prevent leaf diseases. Using a watering can to water individual or groups of plants is more laborious, but much more effective. Small drip-irrigation systems, suitable for home gardens, are easy to find (Johnny’s and Seeds of Change) and especially good for leafy vegetables and fhiiting vegetables, such as squash, tomatoes and cucumbers.
The drip irrigation trickles water at slow rate—about .15 gallons per hour. The hoses come with elbows, tees and couplers to configure to most any garden layout. Note: flowers and herbs should be chosen for the ability to withstand drought (more on that later) so if these plants are not holding up without lots of water, then perhaps the plant species in your garden need to be reconsidered and exchanged.
Regardless of the kind of watering one prefers, it should be done on a rotational needs-be basis, once a week and early in the morning before the sun evaporates the moisture. Water deeply, but keep in mind that too frequent watering can cause just as many problems as too little water: the plants will not be able to adjust to weather extremes, being dependent upon artificial watering and will be unable to fend for themselves.
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