Gardens are a beautiful addition to any home. They can be a good conversation starter, an oasis in a suburban desert, and even a haven for animal lovers. But due to the current situation regarding climate change, we are entering an age of ecological consciousness. Conversations are being had everywhere about greenhouse gases, zero waste living, and saving the planet we live on. This has trickled down even to the way we take care of our gardens.
So while gardens can be aesthetically pleasing, they can often require a lot of resources to maintain. This is true especially for water, since you constantly have to make sure your plants and your lawn are watered regularly so they do not die. There are, however, things us garden lovers can do to reduce water usage while still creating the garden of our dreams.
Use low water species
One of the best ways to reduce water consumption for your garden is to simply switch to plant species that do not require a lot of water to thrive. You can do some research on what plant species do well in drier environments and plant them in your garden instead of the more popular species that require a lot of water. Alternatively, you may want to consider hiring landscape gardeners to help you decide what plant species to use. Landscape gardeners are skilled at making landscapes using only minimal plant varieties.
Do away with lawns
Another thing you might want to consider is doing away entirely with your grass lawn. The amount of upkeep required to keep those grassy areas in your garden can be a lot. Lawns also require a lot of frequent watering to keep them green and alive. Instead of having lawns, you can instead use pavers or switch to artificial turf. Or, you can even consider expanding your patio or deck to reduce the lawn area for your garden. The plus side of having a smaller lawn area is you have essentially created an easy to maintain garden.
Recycle water
Since your concern is reducing water wastage, it might be a good idea to be more efficient with the water used around the house. Using grey water is a great way to maximize the water used in your home. You can water your ornamental plants with the water you use for laundry and washing the dishes. You can even refit your home with seamless gutters and install a rainwater collection system which you can use for taking care of your plants.
With summers getting hotter and water restrictions often lasting much longer, reducing water consumption wherever possible is a good idea. While gardens and landscapes can often be the first to go in an effort to conserve more water, it is still possible to have a beautiful garden by following the water saving tips above. By using low water species, doing away with lawns altogether, and recycling water wherever possible, you can still have a beautiful garden and conserve water.
