Save water while gardening this season

Photo by Markus Spiske

Water is precious and crucial because all life is dependent on it. The ecosystem relies on its abiotic components for success and balance while even at a cellular level most reactions happen when in the presence of water. As each year passes, we find our communities water supply decreasing and more water regulations put into place. This shortage of water is the result of many factors including excess use of water practices and pollution. 
As we garden, we can implement water saving methods. Applying these methods and practices will reduce water usage and decrease nutrient runoff. Leaving the benefits of the water to enrich the soil and bring life to all plants within the garden. The increased awareness in water conservation has brought us techniques and intuitive products to assist us as we continue to create a world of beauty.

​The health of your garden soil is the first component of creating conditions that will retain water and provide benefit to all the plants that are in it. A combination of living organisms, minerals, liquids, gases, and organic material are all required to create a healthy soil. These key elements of soil are important to understand as water will bind to organic matter, holding it in the soil and reducing runoff. Garden drainage is also a key element in your garden layout. If the soil allows water to drain quickly it will leave the ground dry and depleted or can hold the water to long creating a marsh environment and leaving your plants vulnerable to diseases. Discovering the balance for your soil will depend upon your growing environment. At the beginning of each planting season, you will want to incorporate organic material, such as compost into your soil. This simple addition will help with retaining moisture and enriching your garden soil.

Photo by Gabriel Jimenez

The ability to keep the benefit of water in the soil is its natural binding abilities. Water also has the natural ability to evaporate and leave the soil. To assist the soil in retaining the moisture needed the answers simplest solution is mulch. When adding a thick layer of natural mulch in and around the garden it not only absorbs water but reduces evaporation. Mulch has beneficial qualities that assist with supporting strong root growth by conserving moisture and regulating soil temperatures

At Wild Valley Farms our mulch products are kiln dried so the color lasts longer and has no pathogens. Try ours today available for local deliveries!

Photo by Wild Valley Farms

Understanding your plants and improving your garden layouts before you begin to plant can help you decrease unnecessary water usage. In addition to your favorite plants try adding drought tolerant varieties, which require low to moderate water needs. Placing your plants according to the recommendations listed is vital for conserving water. While planting your seeds and started plants add wool pellets. They will provide direct nutrients and hold water close to the root system for an ideal growing condition. If a plant requires shade but then placed in full sun it might live but to do so the stress of surviving the sun will require the usage of more water.​

When considering your layout, notice that plants require different water for optimal growth. Without taking this into consideration your watering schedule could leave some of your plants receiving more than they can use while others are depleted. Placing similar plants together can help you, focus on providing plants the perfect quantity needed. Placing herbs, spinach, and lettuces on a watering system that is less frequent. Where most of the cruciferous vegetables require a more frequent watering schedule will optimize your water consumption. 
As gardener’s we understand the importance of preserving the earth and the responsibility to learn and use methods that safeguard the earth's resources. We can protect and use water with respect for the life that it creates. Understanding, that water is the very source in which we can create beauty in a way that enriches both the soil and one’s own soul. ​

Wild Valley Farms Wool Pellets have a pH level 7.02 and are able to HOLD 20% THEIR WEIGHT IN WATER and INCREASE POROSITY supporting optimal root growth

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