Landscaping lends many benefits to outdoor aesthetics, curb appeal and overall enjoyment of a property. As summer months progress and rain levels deplete, being able to conserve water becomes exceedingly important.
At High Prairie Outdoors, we are proud to play a role in the outdoor beauty of Kansas properties. We strive to help our friends and neighbors achieve their landscaping goals while reducing costs and maximizing growth potential. One of the ways we do this is by helping you conserve water. Here are 6 of our top tips to cut back on water wastage and promote sustainability in your green space.
1. Add Mulch to Retain Moisture
Mulch not only adds a punch of color and texture to your garden, it also adds a level of moisture retention. Mulch helps soil hold onto water longer, especially as the sun comes out and begins to dry the earth around your garden. There are a variety of mulch options to help you combat water wastage, including green, black, red, brown, and white. These shredded bits of organic matter come from bark, cedar, straw, and even pine needles.
Mulch provides your garden with an added layer of protection from the elements, insects, and weed growth. It is also an affordable option, for those gardening on a budget.
2. Plant in the Spring to Skip the Summer Heat
Some crops are best to plant in the summer. However, if you can beat the summer heat by planting early, we recommend a spring planting period. Spring is known for larger quantities of rainfall and cooler evenings leading into warm afternoons that encourage dew collection on plants.
Planting during the mid-spring months still provides your plants with the lengthening daylight hours, without pounding them with dry heat while flowers and shrubs are beginning to grow. This reduces the amount of watering your garden will require during the day.
3. Water in the Early Morning
Another solution to the afternoon heat that dries plants out, is watering early in the morning. Some garden enthusiasts set up their sprinklers on timers to water before the sun rises. This gives plans the opportunity to absorb liquid before it is evaporated by sunlight.
Like spring planting, early morning watering routines decrease your water usage. It also prevents plants from burning in the afternoon sun.
4. Collect Rainwater
If you are looking for ways to reduce water waste, there is no better method than collecting rainwater. Rainwater falls naturally on gardens and lawns, watering plants without the need for hoses and sprinklers. Setting up rain barrels allows you to collect some of this water as it falls and use it later, rather than turning on the faucet in your home.
There are many ways to collect and redistribute rainwater. Some landscaping enthusiasts choose to add rain barrels to the end of house gutters. Others dig trenches to distribute the water evenly throughout the yard as it rains. Your preferred method of rain capture may depend on the layout of your property. Speaking with a professional landscaping company can help you find the best option for your garden.
5. Plant in Containers
Gardens with a variety of levels and structures provide a unique aesthetic to your property. One of the best structures for water conservation is a planter. Planting your flowers and plants in containers, rather than in the soil of your yard provides a receptacle in which to capture rainwater, and store sprinkler or watering can liquid as it is distributed.
There are many types of containers, garden boxes, and planters, which serve as water conservation tools. Use an assortment to make your garden space pop and reduce your water waste.
6. Plant Native Flowers and Shrubs
Native flowers and shrubs are genetically designed to survive in the natural climate of Kansas. These plants rarely require extra water to thrive. This allows you to minimize waste and maximize greenery. Lenten Roses, Black-Eyed Susans, and Virginia Bluebells all grow naturally in Kansas City and make colorful delicate additions to a thriving garden space.
Using local plants and flowers not only allows you to conserve water but also supports local floral markets and farms within your community.
Contact High Prairie Outdoors
Interested in learning more about how to conserve water in your next landscaping project? We invite you to contact High Prairie Outdoors at 1-816-398-2901. Our friendly and experienced team is always happy to hear from new and existing clients and can help you turn your home garden into a sustainable paradise.