Water is a necessity when it comes to gardening. There’s no getting around it. But we can minimize the amount we use with a little extra thought.

Ways to Save Water

One way to reduce water requirements in the garden is by using organic soil or compost. This will lessen a plant’s need for irrigation, because organic matter has better moisture retention than normal garden soil.

Cover Crops Amend Soil

You can either add compost from your pile or grow a green cover crop. When the crop begins to bloom (or just before), turn it over and allow it to sit and decompose. Then, you can work it into the soil as a green manure. If you use a bean crop, you will have the added benefit of the legumes fixing nitrogen into the soil thereby increasing the fertility.

In the South, we can use black-eyed peas (as shown above), or any warm-loving crop. For other regions, winter is the best time for utilizing cover crops.

Mulch

Using mulch in the garden is a good way to reduce evaporation. It also keeps the soil cooler, which can reduce a plant’s need for water. Types of natural mulch include hay, straw, pine bark, and the like. You can also use newspapers to cut down on weeds and reduce evaporation. Make sure you use straw or weights of some sort to keep it in place.

Irrigation

Soaker hoses and drip irrigation are optimal ways to water the plants in your garden. They deliver water to the soil and roots, rather than blowing away in the breeze. Watering during morning or early evening hours is best for minimizing evaporation.

Don’t forget to adjust your watering to suit the needs of your plants. Some need more water than others and need different amounts depending on their stage of maturity. Remember: deep infrequent watering is healthier for plants than frequent shallow watering.

Intensive Planting

Densely planting within your beds can also help reduce water, so long as you avoid overcrowding. This can be a fine line, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of it. I find I can always plant a bit closer than recommended guidelines on the seed packet.

Hydroponic and aquaponic gardening systems are two methods that require less water, because you are using recirculated water. And for a clever watering technique, check out this blog post!