Conscious Irrigation Tips

We have talked about different irrigation systems, and especially sprinklers. But we haven't highlighted one fact- watering our lawn/garden is a luxury. We maybe don’t look at it that way, but water is scarce, and that is the reason why most countries strictly regulate the maximum amount of water you can use for irrigation. That is why harvesting the rainwater is critical- this is an environment-friendly way to water our plants, and to save some money along the way- a win-win. You can take some additional steps to conserve water and minimize your bills.

Plan ahead

Before even planting, you should stop and think. Your plants will need water, so it would be a good idea to group them by water needs. That way, it will be much easier to water them later, you just need to follow the zones. And once you have figured which species you want to plant, you can think about irrigation systems to install. Sprinklers are the least water-efficient systems, so unless you have to use them, choose something else. In the end, once you install them, test them out a bit- put measuring cups in different places- it will give you an idea how much water goes where, and what you need to adjust. Also, make sure you don’t use a 360-degree sprinkler, if you don’t need it- nothing will grow on the curb.
If you don’t feel like you can do this on your own, don’t worry- Duluth landscapers can offer advice, helping you choose the most water-efficient method for your yard. We can also install it, and maintain it for you throughout the whole year.

Install Rain Barrels

Rain barrels are simple solutions that have been around humans ever since we started growing crops. Not much has changed- you are supposed to take a large barrel and connect your gutter with it- and done, you have free technical water, ideal for watering plants. A very straightforward arrangement:

• Get a large barrel- go for 50+ gallons. A couple of these will save a lot of water over the year. Don’t worry about the material, just make sure it is watertight on the bottom and sides. It is a good idea to buy one- they are not too expensive and are designed explicitly for the purpose.
• Make a stand - some commercial barrels come with stands, but you can make one yourself. Anything can do, just make sure it’s stable and that it can withstand the added water mass. Position it next to the downspout. The stand must be elevated enough, so the gravity creates water pressure.
• Cut the downspout and connect it to your barrel- ensure everything is watertight. Test the system afterward.