Crazy Water Conservation Tips for Gardeners

Water conservation for gardeners might have begun with collecting rain water. We all know about rain barrels. That's nothing new. People have been conserving water use with rain barrels for hundreds of years. What other water conservation tips are there for avid gardeners? Are there some unconventional ideas that save us from watering so frequently? Sure, but you might think I'm crazy. I'm alright with that as long as it helps you save water.

Don't dump aquarium water down the drain. Use it to water plants instead. Aquarium water contains many nutrients that can nourish plant life. Phosphorous and nitrogen are plentiful in fish tank water. That is, as long as your tank is properly maintained and your fish are healthy. If your fish are sick, don't feed plants the "ick".

How about that kiddie pool? Doesn't it seem wasteful to just dump it? Kiddie pools get dumped frequently. Don't break their hearts. At least make use of the water. You can siphon a lot of it to plants so the pool's not so heavy to lift. Then lift and dump the rest in your garden. You can use big pool water to water your lawn and garden too. Just be sure to nix the high chlorine content by letting it sit open for several days.

Spray, don't mist. Believe it or not, it makes a great difference how you set your sprinklers. Small water droplets evaporate more quickly. In fact, they may do so before doing your plants any good. It might seem wise to use a gentle flow on tender plants. Just make sure it's not so gentle that it disappears before being put to use. Nix the mist. Say hello to the spray or the drip.

Just ditch it. Direct run-off exactly where you need it most. Wise gardeners know this tip isn't crazy at all. It's ingenious. Pay attention to the water flow in your yard. If it's not directing water where you need it, you can force it to do so, by making a path, or ditch to thirsty areas. Line the path with gravel so water isn't absorbed before it reaches it's destination (your garden).

Plant pots with your plants. Rather than planting seeds directly in the ground, plant them in large clay pots and plant the pots. How does this help conserve water three ways? The rim is exposed, so when you water, you are only watering the plant, not the ground around it. It discourages weed growth, which also saves water. Plus, the clay retains water too.

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How to Save Water Daily with Simple Lifestyle Changes

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