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From the Ground Up: How to Use Water Wisely

Monday July 17, 2006
Read here to learn how to make the most of a rainy day.

The heat of summer is on and our gardens will need watering. The world’s supply of fresh water is limited and, with the population growing, we are wise to conserve and  reduce the pollution of our drinking water sources.                                                          There are many alternative and innovative ways to conserve water in our gardening activities.  A rain barrel is a great way to collect free water. This method dates back to Thailand nearly 2,000 years ago.  Systems are available that attach to the rain gutter downspouts and there are spigots on the barrel to connect a garden hose or to fill watering containers.  The barrels are available in earth tone colors to blend in with the home and a mosquito dunk is recommended to prevent mosquito problems.                                                   
    If you use an automatic irrigation system or are considering one, soil moisture and rain sensors are available to control watering.  You may also manually adjust your system to weekly weather conditions to save money and prevent over watering.  Too much water will make favorable conditions for fungus growth and decay in the roots of plants and shrubs.  A periodic inspection of the system for leaks is also worth while.       If you have a well or live near a river you may be able to irrigate at minimal cost by using a water pump.  Pumps are available that are powered by electricity or gasoline.  If you have a stream on your property with a good slope it may be possible to install a gravity powered ram pump or simply install a pipe to divert some of the water downhill in the direction of your garden.                                                                         A few ideas to conserve the water once you get it to the yard is to water at sunset.  Avoid using sprinklers on windy days and use mulch to insulate and hold water in the soil.  To save time and reduce evaporation use soaker hoses and water at the base of the plants.               
    For more information on ways to conserve water you can contact Knoxville Utilities Board or log onto www.kub.org.  We also provide programs and information on water conservation at Ijams Nature Center.

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