8 tips to save water in the garden
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Every summer, the observation is the same: drought sets in, restrictions fall, and our gardens suffer.
Water has become "blue gold" that must no longer be wasted. But reducing consumption doesn't mean letting your plants die!
There are ancient techniques and modern tools to halve your consumption. Here are the 8 commandments of the economical gardener.
1. Don't let the rainwater escape
It's the primary source of free and healthy water (chlorine-free). Yet, thousands of liters end up in the sewers via your gutters.
The immediate action:Install a collector. Whether it's a simple flap to fill a watering can or a 300L designer tank, it's the most profitable investment for your garden.
2. Recycling cooking water
Don't throw pasta or vegetable water (unsalted) down the drain anymore!
Once cooled, this water is loaded with nutrients and minerals released during cooking. It's a natural and free liquid fertilizer. Similarly, salad washing water is perfect for watering pots on the balcony.
3. Precision Watering (Drip Irrigation)
Watering with a jet of water 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 every drop. It's 100% useful, 0% waste.
4. Mulching: Soil cover
"One hoeing is worth two waterings", but "One mulching is worth ten waterings" !
Direct sunlight on bare soil acts like a hairdryer: it evaporates 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 screen.
Result:The soil stays fresh and moist twice as long.
5. Water in the cool
Watering in direct sunlight is useless: 50% of the water evaporates instantly.
- In the morning (ideal):The soil is fresh, the plant has built up its reserves for the hot day ahead.
- The evening (the alternative):Also good, but nocturnal humidity on the leaves can promote diseases (mildew).
6. Beware of Terracotta!
We often forget: terracotta is a porous material. It "drinks" your plant's water and lets it evaporate through the pot walls.
During dry periods, prefer pots enameled, and metal(zinc) or plastic, 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 wet underneath. Push your finger in or use ahydrometer. If it's wet, don't water!
8. Less but Better
It's better to watergenerously once a weekthan "a little bit" every day.
Why? Abundant watering forces roots to go deep in search of water (where the soil remains cool). Shallow watering keeps roots on the surface, where they will burn at the first heatwave.
Save water now
By combining mulching, the right schedule, and precision watering, you can cut your water bill in half while having a greener garden.
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