Smart Watering Keeps Your Garden Thriving.
As water prices continue to rise, gardeners face the challenge of maintaining lush, healthy gardens while keeping water company bills in check. Fortunately, there are several smart watering strategies that can help you maximise efficiency and minimise waste. Implementing a few simple changes can make a big difference in reducing water consumption while keeping your plants hydrated and thriving year-round.
Water at the Right Time
Watering during the hottest part of the day results in significant evaporation loss. Instead, aim to water early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperatures are lower, allowing water to penetrate the soil properly. Watering deeply and less frequently also encourages deeper root growth, helping plants become more drought-resistant.
Use Drip Irrigation and Soaker Hoses
Traditional sprinklers can be inefficient, often wasting water due to wind and evaporation. Drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses, on the other hand, deliver water directly to plant roots, ensuring minimal waste. These systems can be automated, ensuring optimal moisture levels without overwatering.
Use Rain fall data & Sensors
An essential component of an efficient irrigation system is a rain fall data. There are so many internet connected devices these days which benefit from big data models both reporting on actual rainfall and predicted rainfall. They will automatically shut off sprinklers or irrigation systems when natural rainfall is sufficient. This prevents unnecessary watering and saves water, reducing your water bills in the process.
Monitor Water Usage with Flow Meters
Flow meters allow you to track exactly how much water you’re using in your garden, helping to identify areas where you may be overusing. Adjusting your watering schedule based on actual data ensures maximum efficiency and prevents waste.
Mulch to Retain Moisture
A layer of mulch around plants helps the soil retain moisture by reducing evaporation. Organic mulches like wood chips, bark, or straw also enrich the soil as they break down, improving its structure and water-holding capacity. They massively reduce water evaporation and predators targeting visible pipes. Possibly the most cost effective investment you can make.
Choose Drought-Resistant Plants
Opt for plants that require less water to thrive. Native plants, succulents, and drought-tolerant perennials need less frequent watering, making them an excellent choice for eco-friendly gardens.
Improve Soil Health
Healthy soil retains moisture more effectively. Adding organic matter such as compost and manure helps improve soil structure, allowing it to hold more water while promoting healthy root growth.
Use Rain water and Greywater Wisely
Reusing household greywater from baths, sinks, and washing machines can provide an alternative source for non-edible plants. Just ensure you use biodegradable, eco-friendly detergents. Collection of rain water in usable quantities is a large investment with questionable payback, but if digesters and filter systems can be considered then collection of recycled water can be eco-friendly and a supplement to mains water supplies. It is hardly ever a single source alternative however to mains water.
Group Plants by Water Needs
Planting according to water requirements allows you to optimise your irrigation, ensuring that plants receive just the right amount of water while minimising waste.
For expert and trusted garden irrigation solutions, consider Oasis Watering Systems in Teddington. We specialise in designing and installing efficient watering systems tailored to your garden’s specific needs.
Get Started Today!
If you are looking to install or optimise your garden’s irrigation system to save money on your water bill, Oasis Watering Systems can help.
📞 Call us at: 020 816 816 66
📧 Email us at: info@oasiswatering.co.uk
🌍 Visit our website: Oasis Watering Systems