by Jessica A. Tucker

Created on: February 11, 2010   Last Updated: March 04, 2010

In the day and age of global warming, climate change, or whatever name you wish to put to the changing nature of our environment, water is not accessible as it once was, in many areas of the world. This has created a situation where all must reevaluate water usage habits, especially during the warmer months of the year.  Several tips exist for watering outdoors and a vegetable garden, in the following will be discussed the most efficient of these watering tips when watering a vegetable garden.  Practices such as, water usage, time of day, and waste prevention will be examined. 

Tips for using less water while still watering your garden.

Some great ways to use less water in your garden can be found in the birth or layout of your garden.  When planning the layout of your garden, if plants requiring similar amounts of water are planted together you have a greater opportunity of saving the precious water that you have.  Proper rows and ditching in your garden can also assist in the water reaching the desired areas and not be wasted in an area that does not need the water.  Generally, vegetable gardens can be easily over watered.  Sprinklers do not need to be left on for hours at a time, fifteen minutes to half an hour, once in the morning and once at night can be quite sufficient.

Time of day.

Due to this lack of water and water restrictions/regulations in many areas, the time of day plays a very significant part in the watering of any garden, especially a vegetable garden.  It all really comes down to common sense though.  Watering should be done is the cool hours of the day.  As mentioned previously, early in the morning and late in the afternoon are usually the best times to water.  With the water restrictions that do exist in many areas these days, it is best to check with city departments on the particulars of your specified area.

No need to waste precious water.

Today, the most important factor to consider when watering a vegetable garden is water waste and the prevention of waste happening.  Of course, some water will always be lost to evaporation when watering a vegetable garden but when watering at appropriate times of the day and smartly, most of your water will be saved for your growing vegetables.  Rain water barrels can be set up around the yard and under gutters and many simple changes to household water systems exist to collect usable grey water from your house to use in the garden. 

Technology has also come into play in the water conservation department and now many different options are available for high efficiency sprinklers, good quality hoses and even computerized irrigation systems that will take care of all the watering for you.  Another good tip for saving water is to make sure your sprinklers are not watering over fences or into areas the water is unneeded.

Lastly, the most important thing to remember when watering your vegetable garden, if it rains you don’t need to turn the sprinklers on.

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