Guide for Saving Water in the Garden

In the quest for a more sustainable living, Adriana Copaceanu, a nature lover and author of books on lavender and chicken farming, is encouraging gardeners to embrace water conservation practices. Having lived in California, she was already familiar with water-saving measures such as using rock gardens.

Copaceanu advocates for efficient watering techniques, such as drip irrigation, mulching to retain soil moisture, and watering early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation. This approach aims to achieve high yields of vegetables and flowers while conserving water.

When it comes to planting, Copaceanu suggests watering the hole you're planting in to provide plenty of water for the root system. Improving garden soil before planting will ensure a more productive garden later on.

To conserve water, one can build up garden soil with rich compost and mulch, plant strategically by grouping plants with the same water needs, planting heat-loving perennials in hot spots, arranging plants tightly, and planting trees and shrubs for shade and wind blockage.

Drought-tolerant plants, such as roses, creeping phlox, dianthus, daylilies, lobelia, lantana, Swiss chard, asparagus, cucumbers, peppers, pineapple tomatoes, sage, oregano, thyme, lavender, rosemary, and mint, require less water and thrive with only rain water.

Weeds in the garden compete for water and use up nutrients needed by vegetables. By controlling weeds, gardeners can help conserve water.

Installation of a deep root drip irrigation system is a win-win for the gardener and the environment. This system measures and gives the plants only the amount of water required to make up for lack of rain, watering where the plants need it most, and encouraging roots to develop deep into the soil.

By adopting these practices, gardeners can not only save money, time, and energy, but also contribute to environmental sustainability. Copaceanu, who grows vegetables, lavender, and wildflowers that she shares with the wildlife they attract, and raises chickens, is a shining example of this sustainable approach.