There just aren't many things that taste better than a tomato plucked right from a vine in our backyard. That's probably why summer is the time of year when all of our thumbs start glowing green.
Summer is also the easiest time of year to waste a whole heck of a lot of water. Whether you're tending to a lawn or an herb garden, it can be tough to conserve.
Sunset magazine to the rescue ...
11 Ways to Fight Drought is a quick and dirty lesson in the easiest ways to save water in your yard, while the Summer Watering Guide offers more plant-specific guidance.
According to the Summer Watering Guide, "It's possible to use more water on your summer garden than you use for all other purposes all year long."
So glean a few of these tips and resist the temptation to drown those roses.
Image: Via sunset.com
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I also like to add organic moisture retainers to my soil. Peat-alternatives like coir (Coco Earth is great) and Soil Moist Organic added to your pots will extend the number of days between waterings. And mulch, mulch, mulch!
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Mulch, mulch, mulch... and targeted watering which means I set a timer and sprinkle in a specific area for some newly transplanted trees and shrubs. I use interval watering which is 15 minutes water, 30 minutes off to let the water soak in followed by another 15 minutes with water until plants are adequately hydrated. This method avoids water run off which is a total waste and allows me to water deeply thus less frequently conserving my water use. I am also the mulch queen I like a 2-4" cedar mulch in planting beds, under trees and shrubs and anywhere else I think it might be helpful. Eventually the mulch breaks down enriching the soil.
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