It is possible to have a luscious, healthy, green garden while doing your part to conserve water. Water is a precious resource, and we are finding out that we are often in short supply of it, especially during the hot summer months. Plants and grass naturally need water to survive, but it does not mean they need to be drowned in it for optimum growth. Here are some tips you can start utilizing in your yard maintenance.
Watering the lawn can be one of the biggest ways you can waste water if you don't do it properly. Some homeowners tend to over water their lawn by watering everyday, which can lead to poor root growth in the long run. Depending on the area you live in and how hot and dry it gets, you should not have to water your lawn no more than twice per week, as long as you are watering enough. Usually, 1-2" of water should be sufficient. If you are wondering how you would go about measuring how much water your lawn is receiving, leave out a can or other container that can capture the water and measure that with a ruler. Most home improvement stores also carry water gauges of some sort to help you measure.
Watering the lawn should be done during the early morning hours, typically between 4 and 8 a.m. This period of time is optimal because there is less wind and heat from the sun that will cause rapid evaporation. Watering at night is also not a good idea because it can actually cause fungus and promote insect activity.
Use fertilizer in your garden only as directed. Using too much fertilizer will cause your plants to demand for more water.
Similarly, adding mulch to your garden helps with moisture, meaning less watering. It also prevents erosion and prevents weeds from growing because the mulch is blocking the sun from reaching the weed.
Keep similar plants together in the same section. Drought-tolerant plants should be put in a different section from plants that need constant watering to survive. Water the plants in your garden according to their type so that just the right amount of water is used.
Consider installing a timing device on your sprinkler system if you have not already done so. Schedule and maintain a regular watering cycle for your plants. Installing a rain sensor will stop the sprinklers from turning on when it starts to rain. That device will come in handy when you are not home to turn off your sprinkler system.
Use paving materials, such as brick, gravel, or granite around your garden areas to keep water in the garden and prevent them from traveling elsewhere.
If you're lucky enough to have a lawn with a good topsoil base, much of the hard work of keeping a lawn beautiful is already done for you. But many of us do not have this luxury, and besides, even with a good topsoil base, you still have to work hard to keep a beautiful lawn and garden.
1. The best time to mow a lawn is when it is cool and dry. Wait for the morning dew to dry off, and before the afternoon heat takes hold. Alternatively, late afternoon or early evening following a watering in the morning is also a good time.
2. A hedge is a much better boundary divider than a fence. It will provide better privacy and keep pets and children in - or out. It will attract birds to its shelter, and provide a great backdrop for plants and flowers.
3. Bring the beauty of your garden to you; plant hyacinths near walkways and doors. Their magnificent perfume will swamp the spring air and make your garden really come alive.
4. Add your garden to non-garden items, such a lampposts and mail boxes. Surround these items with flowers planted to take advantage of the earliest to the latest flowerings. You could have white snowdrops, purple and gold crocus, blue hyacinths, and various colored tulips. You could also surround the posts with rocks to provide added interest.
5. Simple, but effective weed control can be achieved on your lawn by mowing often during spring. This will prevent dandelions spreading by eliminating the yellow blossoms and preventing seed formation. Mow high during late spring and early summer. This will allow grass blades to shade the ground, and will help prevent crabgrass from sprouting.
Your lawn and garden should be a source of pride and beauty. You don't need to spend lots of money on expensive fertilizers and herbicides, or fancy lawn furniture and ornaments. A little commonsense and thought can go a long way to making your lawn and garden a much better place.
Both Rachel Yoshida & Rob Pike are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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