Water Conservation And The Home Gardener

Water conservation – Drip Watering Systems
Yes I am Aware that parts of the U.S. have seen flooding in resent days, However much of the United states is suffering from drought conditions and water rationing. Two good options for home gardeners is installing drip watering systems and using simple water collection to off set the use of thousands of gallons of tap water on you home gardens.

drip irrigation

Drip irrigation was developed in Israel some 35 years ago. Using this method you can save a lot on money on watering your garden. Minimize fungus and weed problems.

Water is applied at the plants base root zone at a slow rate maximizing water conservation by limiting water loss in run off and evaporation. Only the root zone is watered so you can deep water and go longer before your plants need another soaking saving time and water.

The Colorado State University Extension has a website that contains a great deal of information on drip irrigation systems CSU Drip Irrigation
University of Nebraska Drip Irrigation Fact Sheet

I AM NOT ENDORSING these companies, they are provide for your evaluation and a good starting place to look for drip irrigation products.
I should note that most hardware stores are very reasonable on the cost of 1/2 inch PVC pipe and PVC pipe fittings and on their 1/4 inch micro tubing. However their drip emitters are well over priced. You can mail order emitters for as little as $0.17 cents each. At that price it is worth ordering a few replacements emitters to replace an emitter should it fail. Flag emitters $0.17 each
Take-apart to clean button emitters $0.17
The Drip Store
Drip Depot

Collecting and Recycling Rain Water

55 gallon barrel

Just about any homeowner can collect rainwater, given that the roof and gutters do most of the work. And since an inch of rain falling on a 2,000-square-foot roof produces some 1,200 gallons of runoff, one can harvest enough to supply water needs for about two weeks. Of course, Use rainwater to irrigate our lawn or garden, and there should be plenty to go around for doing that in all but the most drought stricken areas. Food grade 55 gallon barrels sell from $5.00 to $10.00 larger 275-300 gallon plastic tote containers commonly sell for $75.00.

Many varieties of rain barrel systems, starting at just $100, are available for home installation. A typical set-up is simply a rain barrel positioned under a gutter’s downspout. “The barrel is typically fitted with a spigot at its base to fill a watering can or attach a soaker hose (which bleeds out water all along its length, providing effortless drip irrigation), and a filter or screen at its top to prevent a buildup of leaves and other debris.” According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a single 100 gallon rain barrel can save up to 1,300 gallons of tap water during the high demand summer months. Handy homeowners can make their own water harvesting systems, but buying one pre-made is a lot easier.

Recycling Gray Water That is water from your sinks and tub or shower, Not Toilet water, works well for watering your lawn, trees, shrubs and non-eatable flowering and fruit producing plants. Recycling waste water can stretch your water budget during the hot summer months. Gray water, which is recycled shower, bath, and laundry water, can be used to keep thirsty plants alive.

The following precautions are recommended:
* Gray water should not be used directly on anything that may be eaten.
* Use only water from clothes washing, bathing or the bathroom sink.

If you re-use washing machine water, cut down or eliminate the amount of bleach you use and do not use detergents or additives that contain boron, which is especially toxic to plants. When doing your household cleaning, use ammonia, or products that contain ammonia, instead of chlorine as the cleaning agent.

Rain Barrel Drip Irrigation

If you are collecting rain water in barrels you should consider a small drip irrigation system. Many gardeners use a water soluble fertilizer mixed in their rain water allowing them to fertilize their plants while they water them.

Small garden drip irrigation kits and parts can be found at most better hardware stores. I got my parts from Lowes store.

I am not indorsing any company, however I found both of these companies to be reliable.
Harbor Freight
The Drip Store

Not from the USA. Please leave me comment about your home town and country.

Why is common sense so uncommon?
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