We are all aware of the importance of wise water use when caring for our yards and gardens. Our lack of rain in recent weeks is just one more reminder. Most of us remember the water rationing two years ago.
You can save water for better use no matter what the weather is like. Simply keep a bucket in the shower to catch the water that normally goes down the drain while the shower is reaching the right bathing temperature. That water can be transferred to gallon jugs and used to water container plants both inside and outside the house. I did this during the drought two years ago. It was simple to do and saved water that would have gone into the sewer system.
When it does rain, catching rainwater to provide water for container plants, vegetable and flower gardens is something many can do. One method is to cut a hole in the bottom of the downspout where it curves from the gutter to the house so that some of the water will fall into a large container such as a plastic trash can. The water can be dipped out. Keeping the lid on between rains will avoid mosquito problems.
A more elaborate method is a commercially made rain barrel that is attached to the downspout with a diverter that channels the water into the container until it is full. When the barrel is full, the diverter will cause the water to run out the downspout in normal fashion. A water hose can be connected to the barrel at the base and water delivered to the flower or vegetable garden through the hose.
The lid on the barrel has a mesh opening at the center that allows any accumulating rainwater to drain into the barrel.
These are a few water-saving ideas that will benefit our public water supply, perhaps save a little money and help your garden. I encourage you to give them a try. Perhaps you have other water saving techniques that you use. If you do, I urge you to call them in to Tri-County Speaks, 214-3967, and share them with the entire community.
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We are all aware of the importance of wise water use when caring for our yards and gardens. Our lack of rain in recent weeks is just one more reminder. Most of us remember the water rationing two years ago.
You can save water for better use no matter what the weather is like. Simply keep a bucket in the shower to catch the water that normally goes down the drain while the shower is reaching the right bathing temperature. That water can be transferred to gallon jugs and used to water container plants both inside and outside the house. I did this during the drought two years ago. It was simple to do and saved water that would have gone into the sewer system.
When it does rain, catching rainwater to provide water for container plants, vegetable and flower gardens is something many can do. One method is to cut a hole in the bottom of the downspout where it curves from the gutter to the house so that some of the water will fall into a large container such as a plastic trash can. The water can be dipped out. Keeping the lid on between rains will avoid mosquito problems.
A more elaborate method is a commercially made rain barrel that is attached to the downspout with a diverter that channels the water into the container until it is full. When the barrel is full, the diverter will cause the water to run out the downspout in normal fashion. A water hose can be connected to the barrel at the base and water delivered to the flower or vegetable garden through the hose.
The lid on the barrel has a mesh opening at the center that allows any accumulating rainwater to drain into the barrel.
These are a few water-saving ideas that will benefit our public water supply, perhaps save a little money and help your garden. I encourage you to give them a try. Perhaps you have other water saving techniques that you use. If you do, I urge you to call them in to Tri-County Speaks, 214-3967, and share them with the entire community.
