8 tips for saving water in the garden
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Every summer, the observation is the same: drought sets in, restrictions are imposed, and our gardens suffer.
Water has become "blue gold" that we must no longer waste. But reducing our consumption doesn't mean letting our plants die!
There are time-honored techniques and modern tools to cut your water consumption in half. Here are the 8 commandments of the thrifty gardener.
1. Do not let the rain from the sky run away
It's the primary source of free and clean (chlorine-free) water. Yet, thousands of liters end up down the drain via your gutters.
Immediate action: Install a collector. Whether it's a simple valve to fill a watering can or a stylish 300L tank, it's the most cost-effective investment in the garden.
2. Recycling cooking water
Stop throwing pasta or vegetable water (unsalted) down the sink!
Once cooled, this water is enriched with nutrients and minerals released during cooking. It's a free, natural liquid fertilizer. Similarly, the water used to wash salad is perfect for watering pots on the balcony.
3. Precision Irrigation (Drip Irrigation)
Watering with a hose is an ecological disaster: a large part of the water evaporates before even reaching the roots or runs off elsewhere.
The solution: Drip irrigation. This system delivers water slowly, directly to the base of the plant. The soil has time to absorb each drop. It's 100% effective, 0% wasteful.
4. Mulching: Covering the soil
"One hoeing is worth two waterings" , but "One mulching is worth ten waterings!"
Direct sunlight on bare soil acts like a hairdryer: it evaporates the moisture in a few hours. By covering the soil with a 5 to 10 cm layer of organic matter (straw, hemp, wood chips, dead leaves), you create a protective barrier.
Result: The soil stays fresh and moist twice as long.
5. Water when it's cool
Watering in full sun is pointless: 50% of the water evaporates instantly.
- Morning (ideal): The soil is cool, the plant has made its reserves for the hot day ahead.
- Evening (the alternative): Also good, but nighttime humidity on the leaves can promote diseases (mildew).
6. Beware of terracotta!
It's often forgotten: terracotta is a porous material. It "absorbs" the water from your plant and allows it to evaporate through the walls of the pot.
During periods of drought, opt for glazed , metal (zinc), or plastic pots, which are waterproof and retain water for the plant. If you like terracotta, use it as a cachepot.
7. Check before watering
Don't trust the surface. The soil can be dry on top and moist underneath. Stick your finger in or use a moisture meter . If it's moist, don't water!
8. Less is More
It is better to water thoroughly once a week than "a little bit" every day.
Why? Abundant watering forces the roots to grow deeper in search of water (where the soil remains cool). Shallow watering keeps the roots near the surface, where they will burn during the first heatwave.
Save water now
By combining mulching, the right timing and precision watering, you can cut your water bill in half while having a greener garden.
See Drip Irrigation Systems