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Not only is saving water a good idea for the earth, but it is often helpful for your budget as well. You can still have the beautiful flower garden that you want and even the wonderful vegetable garden you should have for healthier and less expensive eating without using a lot of water. Following a few good water practices will have you saving money and helping out planet earth at the same time.
Step 1:

Mulch your garden. Mulch is available in a wide range of colors, styles, and materials. It is also very helpful for your garden. Adding 2-4 inches of mulch to the top of your garden will help hold the water down by the roots of your plants and let less water be enough to keep your plants happy and healthy.

Step 2:

Water more, less often. Many people believe that a little water every day is better for their plants. But the truth of the matter is that this method of watering makes it hard for plants to get water because the water remains in the top layer of the soil or mulch while the roots are deeper down. It is a much better idea to water more water, less often so that the roots of the plant get the water.

Step 3:

Use a watering can. You can look for sprinklers that use less water and spray the water where you want it to go, but no matter what you choose, the sprinkler will waste water. A watering can gives you more control and let you pour enough water where it needs to go without watering anything else or over watering. It is also good exercise!

Step 4:

Water in the cool of the morning or after the sun has gone down for the night. The sun is the enemy to saving water. If likes to dry up the water that you have just used to water your plants. Watering early lets the soil absorb the water before the sun gets hot and watering after the sun has started to go down makes sure that the sun isn't stealing your water.

Step 5:

Water under the plants. The roots of the plant are what need the water. If you water the leaves, it is more likely that the water will evaporate and never help your plant. Instead water under the leaves near the roots for better chances of the plants getting the water they need.

Step 6:

Weed your garden and around your flowers regularly. Weeds will steal your water from your plants. It is a good idea to get rid of them when they are small and keep up on the weeding to save water and protect your plants.

Step 7:

Collect rainwater. Rainwater is a great way to water your garden (and your household plants). To collect it, you can use a five-gallon bucket or buy a special rain barrel. Placing these items under your gutters will let you collect the water that gets caught on the roof. After it has rained, cover the bucket or barrel to help stop evaporation (especially if you live where it is really hot and doesn't rain often).

Step 8:

Collect grey water. Grey water is water that has been used in the house but is still safe to use in other locations. You have a lot of grey water that normally runs down the drain and away from your house, but it can be used to water your garden and your houseplants. For most of us, our easiest option is to collect it in a bucket, bowl, or dishpan and then move it to our watering cans. If you have some plumbing experience, you can set it up to pipe it to a collection location or directly to your garden. If you choose to have your water piped to a certain location for use in your garden, make sure you never use bleach or chlorine-based products. Bleach (chlorine) is bad for the environment! 

  • Dishwater is some of the easiest collected. Simply wash your dishes by hand (you save water that way anyway) and use a dishpan rather then the sink. When you are done you have a whole bucket of water. You can also use a dishpan to collect the water from rinsing your dishes as well.
  • Shower water. You can place a dishpan or other bucket at the front of the shower and collect some of your shower water as well.
  • Water from the washer is also another great source of water. This can be collected by unhooking the hose in the back and running it elsewhere (be careful to make sure you don't over run a bucket or such). You can also collect some using a small bucket after the wash and/or rinse cycle before the water has drained.

Grey water often contains soap, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent, and other items. These things aren't going to hurt your garden and can even help by keeping away pests. It is important that you do not put bleach in your garden. Dispose of any grey water that has bleach in it.  

You can take water from these places and collect it in watering cans with lids, in five gallon buckets with lids, or in rain barrels until you are ready to use it.

Saving water in your garden can save you money as well as help save the Earth. It is a great opportunity to do your share toward a better life for all of us.

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