Blog posts tagged with 'conserve'

Summer is just around the corner.

For some of us that means some “Dog Days” ahead. For others, maybe not so bad. But one thing that is certain is that most of our country has been faced with drought issues for a few years now. From the Southwest to the Southeast, the presence of rain has been scarce.

• Use native plants to your area.
• Choose low-water grass types.
• Plant trees and shrubs to slow erosion and cool down the area.

• Hand watering is not very efficient.
• Drip & Micro Spray Irrigation is best for all plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Watering early in the morning is best.
• Water the lawn, not the pavement, by adjusting the sprinklers.
• Chemical fertilizers speed up the growth of lawns, not using them means less to water.
• Raise the cut length of your mower. Taller grass shades the roots and promotes healthier turf & requires less watering.
• Do not puddle the water by over-watering. Water less time and more often to give it time to soak in if you have harder soil types.

Most people who work in the landscape or gardening industry know about Drip Irrigation and Micro Irrigation.  It's been used in some agricultural areas for over 40 years and is increasingly being used by larger and larger farms and groves for everything from grapes to oranges.  This has proven to be a vast improvement on the goals of saving water and wise use of water by the industries that depend on it to survive.

In recent years, large landscape companies have also adopted Micro and Drip Irrigation as a way to water a variety of landscapes, keeping the plants well-nourished and saving 50% or more on water usage.  Everywhere you look you can see it, little black stakes in the ground with Micro Sprays hidden behind bushes, Drip Irrigation tubing stretching through landscaped flower beds. With ever-increasing awareness of conservation of water, and the importance of being wise with resources, this trend will continue to improve as time goes on.

All of these things are incredible on their own, but they are just the beginning.  Where Drip Irrigation is heading now is into the garden and landscape of the average homeowner.  Most homeowners shy away from trying to mess with installing irrigation, for fear that it is too complicated or that they will not do it right and create a disaster that will kill all of their plants. But with droughts at a record high, and the desire of many to establish home gardens, that mentality is quickly changing. 

The benefits of using Drip Irrigation and Micro Irrigation are tremendous.  It's not just about not wasting water.  The plants get what they need rather than too much water, which can lead to fungus growth and premature rot in the root systems.  Also, many areas in the country that are under drought conditions will allow home owners to use low-flow irrigation products in their landscapes and gardens, rather than sprinklers.

Right now, homeowners across the country are realizing the need to use water wisely and are looking to install their own Micro and Drip Irrigation systems .  We applaud that - and encourage others to do the same.  A difference can be made, one garden and landscape at a time!

Everyone spends a great deal of time and energy discussing the environment these days. Global warming, the oceans rising, strange weather events. Very few media events focus a great deal of energy on a much more serious problem, saving fresh water.  There are some parts of the United States where droughts are so bad that people are using rain buckets to collect fresh water so they can water their plants when there is no rain because using sprinklers are prohibited.

Water is a precious resource in our environment. All life depends on it. Growing populations and ongoing droughts are running our fresh water resources dry, causing natural habitats to decline and impacting our everyday use of water.

People in industrialized populations should feel obligated to pay more attention to how we are using water, and how we may be wasting it. We must bridge the gap between our understanding of how important water is to our survival and what we can do to ensure that we have an adequate supply of clean water for years to come.

Here are 10 easy and practical tips for thinking "green" by saving the "blue". 

1. Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. 

2. Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full, and you could save 1,000 gallons a month. 

3. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway or sidewalk and save 80 gallons of water every time. 

4. Only water your lawn when needed. You can tell this by simply walking across your lawn. If you leave footprints, it's time to water. 

5. When you clean your fish tank, use the water you've drained on your plants. The water is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertilizer.

6. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl, you have a leak. It's easy to fix, and you can save more than 600 gallons a month.

7. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

8. Wash clothes only when you have a full load and save up to 600 gallons each month.

9. When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.

10. Choose new water-saving appliances, like washing machines that save up to 20 gallons per load.

For more tips on how to save fresh water in your day-to-day lives, go to http://www.wateruseitwisely.com.

Of course, Mister Landscaper recommends using their products to save water as well. By utilizing Drip Irrigation and Micro Irrigation in your landscapes and gardens, you can save over half the fresh water you use every time you water.  Imagine the impact that would make if everyone did that.