Save water in irrigation

Water is a natural resource that every living being on planet Earth needs to live, and specifically for our crops, it is a determining factor. Since it is a naturally scarce resource (especially during the summer months), organic farming has sought to develop different irrigation methods and systems that can meet the water needs of our crops while minimizing environmental impact.

The irrigation methods developed include different ways of applying water to the soil so that, in the case of having our garden outdoors, we can supplement rainwater and meet the needs of our crop.

Below are some tips to keep in mind to minimize your water consumption:

1. It's best to water early in the morning when the temperature is lower than during the hottest hours, thus preventing water evaporation. We also take advantage of the ambient humidity.

2. As we discussed in Tips for getting started in the world of urban gardening , weeds are not thrown away; we place them on the surface of our raised bed, thus preventing water evaporation and promoting soil moisture.

3. Take advantage of the water used to cook vegetables or pasta; once the water has cooled, we can use it to water our urban garden.

4. If you have gardening tools, wash them in any container you have at home and use the leftover water for watering.

5. Let's organize our garden bed so that each group of vegetables is in the same place, thus grouping each type of plant according to its water needs.

6. Vegetable compost helps retain moisture. If you want to know how to make homemade compost, take a look here .

7. We advise you to avoid watering on windy days, as we lose water, especially in urban gardens where the planting beds are delimited.

8. Where possible and depending on our resources, we can install a drip irrigation system.

9. Use tap water while you wait for it to get hot. Waiting and doing nothing until it gets hot (especially for showering) is considered an environmental crime. Easily avoid wasting water by placing a bucket under the tap. This simple action will prevent us from wasting a large amount of water, which we can then use to water our urban garden.

Watering plants might seem simple, but doing it while saving water requires some knowledge. During the summer months, when rainfall is scarce, saving water becomes a necessity that we all need to be aware of. Saving water is good for your wallet, for your plants, and for the environment. Get started and join the urban gardening revolution!