Read at : Dave’s Garden Weekly Newsletter

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/527/?utm_source=nl_2008-03-17&utm_medium=email

Watering Wisely

By Paul Rodman (paulgrow)
March 13, 2008

It seems like every time we pick up a newspaper or turn on the news there is some type of story about water shortages. Double digit water bill increases in urban areas or threats of running out of water in the southeast United States. We all need to do our part in conserving water whether we get it from a municipal water source or from our own wells. According to the US census bureau the 28 counties that comprise the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area has a population of some 5.1 million people. The majority of these people are in real danger of running out of water. Not a water shortage but totally running out of potable water for drinking, bathing etc. The record drought has Lake Lanier the primary source of drinking water for Atlanta and DeKalb County in danger of going dry within a few short months if much needed rain doesn’t arrive. Here in the metropolitan Detroit, Michigan area double digit water hikes are a fact of life in suburban communities supplied by the Metro Detroit water system. Those of us who are gardeners have our own unique decisions to make as far as how we use our water, how often and how much. I have some tips on how to use your water wisely, how to conserve it.  We could carry it on our heads like the lady in the thumbnail picture above, but I have some more efficient ways in order to use our water supply efficiently.

Drip Irrigation Systems

I’ve been using one for 5-6 years and absolutely love it. I use a Mr. Landscaper system. This system is easy to install and parts are available at Lowe’s. They have a large variety of emitters so that you can customize the system to fit your garden. This system can save you up to 90% of the water used by a conventional sprinkler. Each emitter delivers 5 gallons of water per hour right to the root zone of the plants. Using conventional watering techniques loses too much water to run off, over spray, and evaporation; it also saves time by not having to move hoses and sprinklers around your garden.

A drip system consists of a ½” poly tubing trunk line which can be laid on top of the soil, I bury mine under the mulch. Stake assemblies are connected easily to the tubing and misters are screwed into the stake assemblies. Installation is very quick and easy. Mister Landscaper has an emitter that directs the spray downward to the base of the plant and the foliage doesn’t get wet; this is especially helpful when watering plants like roses. The system can be expanded easily to fit your growing garden.

Soaker Hoses

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Mulch

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For more information on drip irrigation systems go to www.mrlandscaper.com

Watch for a companion article coming soon on an alternative source to provide water for your lawn and garden.

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Paul Rodman has been gardening for over 40 years. He is an Advanced Master Gardener, and American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian. He is currently president of the Western Wayne County Master Gardener Association in Wayne County, Michigan. Rodman is the garden columnist for The News Herald newspaper, in Southgate, Michigan. He has also written for the OrganicGardening.com web site. He has lectured on various gardening topics throughout southeastern Michigan.