Jumping through the water of your sprinkler might be a fun way to cool off during summertime, but it doesn’t negate the fact that sprinklers are among the most wasteful usages of water, wasting approximately 1.5 billion gallons of water a day in the United States. Although many pay no attention to the water flowing through their homes and gardens, it’s a precious resource that needs to be conserved, especially during times of drought or scorching weather. 

When planning a garden, there are many ways to use water more efficiently, several of which should be done before the hot weather sets in. This spring, as you plant your garden, it’s time to rethink your water strategy. 

Water Wisely

When watering, it’s important to water wisely. Water slowly and during the morning when the temperatures are cool to reduce evaporation losses. Use only a soaker hose or sprinkler wand that selectively covers a certain area, instead of dousing the entire lawn. 

Nothing ruins your motivation to garden faster than a bunch of tangled hose. Prevent this issue with a retractable hose mounted to a wall, which is good enough to replace both your sprinkler and water hose – it’s perfect for watering your lawn, cleaning your gardening tools, or just cooling off while the kids play outside.

1. Choose Drought Tolerant Plants       

Chances are, you don’t live in a French provincial mansion with acres and acres of plants, but there’s still ways to reduce your water footprint. Drought tolerant plants, including native plants, require less water and are easier to maintain. With any endeavor, balance is necessary – native perennials with colorful blooms integrate well with hardy transplants that aren’t necessarily native to the region. And if you think most daylilies are dull, these stunning Red Velvet lilies dispel the notion. 

Drought Tolerant Plants:

• Daylilies 

• Hostas 

• Hollyhock

• Lavender

• Digitalis (Foxglove)

• Echinacea (Coneflower)

• Echinops (Globe Thistle)

• Yarrow 

2. Implement Water-Saving Irrigation 

It’s never good to drench your plants indiscriminately. Drip irrigation, while constantly touted as a salient irrigation method, can be difficult to understand and set up. The solution is Vego’s irrigation kit, which draws upon the concept of drip irrigation, now demystified for the masses. It utilizes an expandable system that can connect multiple raised beds to a single water source. Snap-and-go connectors allow you to quickly hook up your hose, resulting in a gentle mist spray that efficiently and evenly waters your plants. Ditch your sprinklers and instead simplify your routine with this efficient watering system that eliminates guesswork and error from your watering schedule.  

3. Get Rid of Your Lawn 

Lawns are one of the biggest culprits of water waste, absorbing an average of 55 inches of water a year. Additionally, they tend to be unsightly, strewn with scraggly weeds or barren spots where the neighbor’s dog has peed. Eliminate lawns altogether, either by filling it with raised beds or groundcovers. Raised beds are an easy way to get rid of lawns and define garden paths – just strip the surrounding area and fill instead with gravel or mulch. Those looking for an advanced set up can group several beds around a focal point, or connect two beds with an arched trellis system.  

4. Avoid Concrete    

Concrete pathways are impermeable, preventing water from seeping through the cracks and watering nearby plants. They can also be expensive and dull in appearance. Therefore, it’s better to pave garden paths with gravel, stones, or other porous materials. 

5. Pick the Proper Hose Nozzle

Many people won’t think twice about the spray patterns of their watering house, but this overlooked aspect is crucial for efficient watering. A good nozzle allows you to control the flow and pressure of water, ensuring that your plants receive the optimal amount. A nozzle with an adjustable pattern can complete a variety of tasks, from gentle misting for seedlings to a strong jet for established plants. The different nozzle settings on this 9-pattern spray nozzle allow you to control your watering pattern and minimize waste. 

6. Try Square Foot Gardening              

Square foot gardening, a method of gardening that involves planting crops densely together, helps you make the most of your harvest. In square foot gardening, a square raised bed is divided into sixteen one-foot sections, and then various plants are paired together depending on their growing requirements. On a less intensive level, group plants with similar watering needs together, with drought-tolerant plants at the outskirts of your beds, where they will thrive even without water. 

7. Use Aquarium Water for Plants 

An unorthodox method is to reuse water from unconventional sources, and that includes aquarium water. As long as you aren’t using water from a saltwater tank, old aquarium water, while detrimental for fish, is actually healthy for plants. The miasma floating in the water is rich in potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients that benefit plants. The next time you’re changing your fish tank, save some of the water and use it for ornamental plants (do not feed to vegetables). You can even salvage leftover water from your kiddie pool to water your plants. 

8. Start with the Right Soil 

Amendments rich in organic matter increase the water retention capabilities of your soil. Many gardeners choose the hugelkultur method for an easy way to fill up garden beds and save on soil. To effortlessly supplement your soil with organic matter, consider implementing a worm composter directly into your garden beds, where earthworms will convert waste into organic matter.