April 25, 2016

Gardens are a great way to boost the appeal of your home and with their calming and rejuvenating effects, it's also a great activity for the soul. While it's always a good idea to grow your own flowers and vegetables, maintaining them can require a lot of water, which is a precious resource that needs to be protected. As the top consumers of water, Canadians use an average of 329 liters of water per day, which is more than twice as much as Europeans. To put this alarming number into perspective, the researchers at Water Governance say that the amount of freshwater needed for human survival (including drinking, food preparation, sanitation and bathing needs) is between 60-80 liters per day. To keep our freshwater resources sustainable, we must conserve water wherever we can. Let's start with our gardens! Find out how you can conserve water in the garden Everyone loves a lush and colorful garden, but keeping them that way often requires plenty water. The trouble is that many people are unsure of right amount of water needed to keep a garden healthy so they tend to over-water it or use techniques that can actually waste water. With a few simple changes, you can cut down on your water usage to help reduce the risk of drought orders and water restrictions, save money on your water bill and contribute to a sustainable future. 1) Water In The A.M. Get the most out of your precious water by dispersing it on your lawn and gardens in the morning. Since the sun won't be high in the sky until the afternoon, the water will have time to reach the roots before evaporating from the mid-day heat. 2) Don't Fear Dryness There's a common misconception that you absolutely must water plants and shrubs at the first sign of dryness. However, it's perfectly fine to leave them as they are until they show signs of wilting. 3) Let The Rain Do The Work Much like plants and shrubs, people often fear that their lawns are going to be damaged beyond repair if it becomes dry. As the thirstiest part of the garden, people often use sprinklers to keep it green which can use as much water as a family of four uses in one day. Instead of wasting water, trust that the natural rainfall will help to bring back the healthy level of moisture. 4) Install A Water Butt Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, water butts collect rainfall from the roof of a house and can hold between 100 to 700 liters of water. According to BBC, it is estimated that 24,000 liters of rainfall can be collected annually from each home so if each home used a water butt, the amount of water waste would reduce significantly. 5) Make Use Of Grey Water Whether collected from showers, baths, cooking or laundry, greywater is a great way to add moisture to your gardens and lawns without having to use a hose or sprinkler. While any form of re-used water will do, we suggest avoiding toilet water or anything containing bleach, disinfectants or strong cleaners. 6) Use A Rain Barrel Rain barrels are an aesthetically pleasing way to collect rainwater while adding a touch of décor to your home. With a wide range of sizes and styles available, you could even choose one with a planter inside to add even more green beauty to your home. 7) Add Some Mulch Great for locking in moisture, mulch can be added to flower beds and around shrubs so you don't have to water as often. In fact, according to this article from Colorado State University, using mulch can cut water usage by 25-50 per cent! 8) Native Species Incorporating native species plants into your garden is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Not only do they prevent the introduction of invasive plants while providing a natural habitat for endangered bees and butterflies, but they're also incredibly low maintenance. They require little or no water beyond what nature provides! 9) Make It Block Style If you're creating a veggie garden, make it block style rather than in rows. Not only will this create micro-climates and shade, but it'll also help reduce water evaporation so the soil stays moist for longer periods of time. 10) Choose Plants Wisely Avoid growing large shrubs because the bigger they are, the more water they'll require. As a general rule, it's best to choose smaller plants while placing them together to balance out the space. 5 Flowers That Don't Need Much Water If you want to make your garden even healthier and eco-friendly, here's a list of 5 beautiful flowers that don't require much moisture beyond what nature provides. This list is also perfect for beginner gardeners or those who don't have much of a green thumb but still want to benefit from the beauty of fresh flowers. Calendula Oriental poppy Purple coneflower Lilac Rose of Sharon As mentioned above, native species are a great option for saving water. If you're interested in learning more about which species is right for your area, take a look at this geographical map included in our information about Native Species Seed Paper. Looking for more inspiration? Here are even MORE gardening resources: Save Bees & Butterflies - A Look At Why Our Garden Friends Are In Trouble & How To Help 10 Upcycle Ideas For The Garden Easy Tips for Spring Gardening If you love gardening, you'll love eco-friendly seed paper! Created with biodegradable materials, this eco paper is embedded with NON-GMO seeds that grow wildflowers, herbs or vegetables when planted in a pot or garden. Perfect for a variety of events and purposes including crafting, weddings, memorials, promotional products, recipients will love growing their own bounty of fresh flowers, basil, parsley, dill, carrots, lettuce or tomatoes with a simple piece of compo-stable paper. Like what you see on our blog? Join our mailing list to receive emails with freebies, projects, coupons, green living tips and decor ideas and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

25 April 2016

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