Applying strategies like mulching, maintaining healthy soil and watering at night can help reduce the water you use for your home garden.
Alternatively, you can arrange vegetable gardens in small blocks instead of rows. Watering one block of plants is more efficient than spraying water over a long row of crops. Design three-foot blocks of plants for easy access.
Using water-saving items and being more mindful of how much water you use is also key to avoiding wasteful runoff. Here are some useful garden products that will help reduce your water bill to save money and resources.
Automatic watering timer
An automatic watering timer is best for home gardeners with busy schedules. By installing an automatic timer on your hose, sprinkler, or soaker hose, you can easily control how much water you use in your garden.
Just attach one end of the automatic watering timer to your faucet and the other to a gardening hose. Some timers can be programmed for about 120 minutes.
Downspout rain diverter
Downspout rain diverters are made from galvanized steel and this item helps funnel rainwater from your gutters directly into a rain barrel or other water catchment system.
Some diverters have two sizes, both rectangular and round, that fit standard residential downspouts. For home gardeners who reside in a cold climate, close the flap on the diverter over the winter to let your downspout resume its normal operation. You don't need to remove the diverter or disassemble it.
Diverting and saving rainwater is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to conserve water, especially if you want to stock up on water for emergency use. (Related: Conserve water while gardening using these incredible tips and tricks.)
Repurposed rain barrels
Houses in Australia and other dry climates often use rain barrels and cisterns to gather rainwater for future use.
Setting up a repurposed rain barrel at home gives you access to water during times when it’s in short supply. To conserve water in your home garden, look for repurposed rain barrels like Eartheasy's 60-gallon Great American Rain Barrel.
These barrels were originally built to ship olives from Europe and they're made to last. Proudly American-made, these 60-gallon barrels can store enough water for your garden during dry spells.
The barrels come with an insect and debris screen to prevent clogging and contamination. Pair a repurposed rain barrel with a diverter to easily funnel the rain directly from your downspout.
Watering wand that mimics rainfall
Hand watering can take up a lot of your time, but making small sacrifices is best for healthier garden beds. To speed things up, use a versatile watering wand that will make this chore easier.
With a rainfall mimicking watering wand, you can target the water flow directly where you need it in your garden. Buy a watering wand with different useful settings, such as a fine mist for seedlings to a shower setting for mature plants.
Water-saving hose nozzle
Using a regular water hose consumes too much water, but you can conserve water by switching to a more efficient adjustable hose nozzle. Some products have different settings, from full force to a water-saving mist.
Water-saving hose nozzles are also built for pressure compensation, meaning you can save water even if you use various settings. Use a water-saving hose nozzle to control water flow while watering your garden or washing your car.
As a home gardener, there are many ways to conserve water inside your home and outside in your backyard. Be part of the solution by saving water and using water-saving products to help preserve finite resources.
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