Water Conservation Strategies For Summer Maintenance
The hot summer months have arrived, and along with them, the challenge of maintaining a lush and vibrant landscape. Summer is a season of growth, vibrant colours, and outdoor entertainment, which means your landscape needs more in terms of care and maintenance.
However, this additional care should not come at the expense of the environment. Sustaining a healthy, vibrant garden through the season does demand additional landscaping effort, but this does not necessarily mean it has to come with the additional cost of natural resources like water.
Avery Gardens and Grounds Maintenance recognises the crucial role of water conservation, particularly during the hot August months. We can assist you in maintaining a beautiful outdoor space while also implementing water conservation strategies.
In this guide, we provide expert water conservation strategies to help you save water while still nurturing your garden through the hottest months of the year.
Why Does Water Conservation Matter?
As a homeowner and gardening enthusiast, you may be wondering why water conservation is so important. It’s easy to focus on our own landscapes and overlook the wider environment, but water conservation affects everyone and should therefore be a key consideration when gardening.
Water conservation makes sense environmentally and financially. With rising temperatures leading to increased water usage in the summer, higher bills and potential water shortages are common.
Reconsidering your gardening practices and adopting water-wise landscaping can reduce your water usage, lower utility costs, and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Our water conservation strategies can help you lessen your environmental impact and reduce costs, all while maintaining your beautiful landscape.
The Best Water Conservation Strategies
These water conservation strategies can be used across a range of landscapes either together or individually to decrease your water consumption, protect the environment, and maintain a healthy garden during the hottest season.
Select Drought-Resistant Plants
Choosing drought-resistant plants is one of the most successful ways to conserve water. These plants can survive with minimal water, reducing the need for constant hydration even during high summer temperatures.
Some excellent choices for a water-wise garden include:
- Lavender: The beautiful purple flowers and aromatic scent of lavender make it an ideal choice. Additionally, it attracts pollinators, making it an excellent addition to any thriving garden.
- Sage: The aromatic leaves and colourful blooms of sage add vibrancy to any landscape and do not require constant watering.
- Succulents: These robust plants store water in their leaves, which makes them ideal for hot, dry climatic conditions.
- Native Grasses: Native grasses are well-suited to local climates and require less water than traditional lawns. They differ based on your specific location but can be a fantastic addition to outdoor spaces across the region.
By integrating these plants into your garden, you can build a beautiful and sustainable landscape that minimises water usage all year round – particularly during the hot summer months when water usage is at its most critical.
Consider Efficient Irrigation Systems
Effective irrigation is one of the most vital water conservation strategies and can be a useful tool for all landscapes to reduce water usage without affecting plant growth.
Traditional sprinklers can lead to water wastage through evaporation and runoff, so are not always the best for your landscape during the summer. Instead of depending on these traditional systems, consider switching to a more efficient irrigation system, such as:
- Drip Irrigation: This method delivers water directly to the roots of plants, minimising evaporation and ensuring efficient water usage.
- Soaker Hoses: Like drip irrigation, soaker hoses release water slowly and evenly along their lengths, providing deep watering for plants.
- Smart Irrigation Controllers: These devices modify watering schedules based on weather conditions, soil moisture levels, and plant needs, ensuring optimal water usage.
Proper maintenance of your irrigation system is also crucial in supporting your landscape’s needs without excessive water use. To maintain water irrigation systems, it is important to regularly check for leaks, clogs, and broken components within the system to ensure efficient water delivery and prompt repairs.
Mulch Your Garden Beds
Mulching is an easy and effective way to conserve water in your garden and can also be one of the most affordable water conservation strategies to implement.
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, delivering benefits without additional care.
Apply a 2 to 4-inch layer of mulch around your plants as a water conservation strategy to conserve moisture throughout the season.
Change Water Routining
The timing of your watering schedule is crucial during summer, making it one of the most effective water conservation strategies.
In summer, it is advisable to water your plants and lawn during the coolest parts of the day, such as early in the morning or late in the evening. Watering during cooler times helps to decrease evaporation and allows plants to absorb water more efficiently, reducing the overall amount of water needed.
It is recommended to avoid watering during the hottest time of the day, such as noon or afternoon, as the majority of the water will evaporate before reaching the roots, essentially leading to wastage.
Group Plants According To Their Water Needs
Grouping plants according to their water needs is a practical way to ensure efficient watering and is one of the simplest water conservation strategies.
This tip doesn’t require any additional changes or tools but a simple reorganisation of your landscape for better watering practices. By placing plants with high water requirements together and those with less in another area, you can customise 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.
Minimise Lawn Areas
Traditional lawns require a significant amount of water to stay green and healthy, especially during the hot, dry summer months.
As part of ongoing water conservation strategies, consider reducing the size of your lawn and replacing it with drought-tolerant ground covers, native grasses, or hardscaping elements like gravel, stones, and pavements. This change will not only reduce your water usage this summer but will have benefits in future seasons too.
For any remaining lawn areas, it is advised that you choose drought-resistant grass species as these require less frequent watering.
Regardless of the type of lawn you have, it is beneficial to mow at a higher height during the summer to encourage deeper root growth and reduce water evaporation.
Collect and Reuse Rainwater
Harvesting rainwater is an excellent way to conserve water while providing your garden with a natural source of hydration throughout the summer.
Despite being a bright and hot season, the UK is famous for unpredictable rainfall, which is good news for sustainable gardeners.
Install rain barrels or other collection systems to collect rainwater from your roof, and then use this water for watering your garden, cleaning tools, or other outdoor tasks. Rainwater is free of the chemicals typically found in tap water, making it healthier for your plants while also helping reduce your energy bills and environmental impact.
Regular Maintenance and Soil Enhancement
Maintaining your grounds and improving soil quality are fundamental to water conservation. Healthy soil retains moisture better and promotes robust plant growth.
During the summer, set aside time to aerate your soil regularly to enhance water infiltration and reduce runoff. You can also add organic matter, such as compost, to your soil to improve its structure and water-holding capacity without additional expenses.
Furthermore, address pest or disease issues promptly to prevent undue stress on your plants, which can increase their water needs, by using natural pest repellants throughout the season.
Engage and Educate Your Community
Water conservation is a communal effort, and involving your family, colleagues or occupants can make a significant difference.
This summer, enlighten your community about the importance of saving water and invite them to engage in water-wise gardening practices with you.
Conclusion
Implementing these water conservation strategies can help create a thriving, sustainable garden during the hot summer months. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these strategies will assist in creating a water-efficient landscape that adds to the beauty of your home and contributes to a more sustainable future.
At Avery Gardens and Grounds Maintenance, we are committed to helping you achieve a lush, vibrant landscape while conserving water and protecting the environment.
Contact Us Today
Are you ready to transform your garden into a water-efficient sanctuary? Contact us today to learn more about our landscaping and garden design services.
Together, we can create a landscape that reflects your style and values while making a positive impact on the planet. Every drop counts – let’s make the most of it!
