Water is a precious resource, so while we're not spending any to keep our own lawn green, even in the midst of a terrible Texas drought, we are trying to keep our vegetable garden alive. After a little research, we learned that our watering approach wasn't the most efficient for the type of garden we have. Here's the right way to do it!
While it's tempting to set up a sprinkler to cover a lot of ground (and enjoy that summertime smell in the air, not to mention listen to the ch-ch-ch-chhhhhh sound we so love), sprinklers are best for lawns—not raised vegetable beds.
According to this article at the Mother Nature Network, the most efficient way to water vegetable and flower beds is by a slow and steady drip method. This requires a little more work on the front end (setting up a hose system in each bed will take time and money) but the up-keep is as simple as turning on the water when it's time.
Vegetables and flowering plants respond best to deep soaks at their bases, which encourage roots to reach deeper into the ground for water. Sprinkling, on the other hand, encourages shallow root growth—and wastes water in areas that don't need it.
Learn more about the best ways to water your garden here. Find out how to set up a drip irrigation system here.
Related posts:
• Water-Wise Planting: Xeriscape Garden Inspiration
• Drink Up: 5 Ways to Collect and Reuse Water for Your Plants
• 5 Unusually Eco Watering Cans
(Image: Flickr member steve p2008, licensed under Creative Commons.)
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Ollas are another (ancient) method of drip irrigation, which may be just as efficient as drip tape and lines.
Another Source
DIY version
@embryoconcepts - thanks for the suggestion - definitely have to look into that!
Always knew/ use the dripping for flower beds/ trees/ raised beds. Sprinklers for yard. Another key to not wasting the water you use is to do it at night (if you have a sprinkler system, an hour before sunrise is ideal) so the water has time to soak in without evaporating in the sun and heat. Don't overdo it though. You don't want sopping wet grass/plants all night long.
It is so rude to spray the lawn with water during these times of crisis. Some of our neighbors (usually the ones who idle the car for half an hour during 70 degree days) have the sprinkler set to hit half the lawn and half the road. Total waste of water. We let nature decide if water is available, or sometimes we use the leftover cat bowl water (we have a stray cat shelter and they have dog-sized water bowls) to water the (non-edible) plants. Never the lawn - in fact, we're trying to kill the invasive grass by planting mayapple.
I have never watered the lawn before, but because of this dang Texas drought I am going to have to start because I don't want anything to happen to my trees! If you live around Austin check out this link from the city http://vgn.me/6q