Wise Water Use

Wise Water Use

Balch Springs, Texas 75180

214-348-EDEN (3336)

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The drought may be over according to the news and weather people, but that doesn't mean our responsible use for this precious resource should go out the window.

Using water wisely is a responsibility we all share. After all, we can't make it rain - not yet anyway, and it is up to us to use water responsibly so we all have enough of it for necessities - like cooking and bathing! Not to mention, water conservation is about common sense, too. Who wants to spend $150+ on a water bill every month? At least, that is how I feel about it. Landscaping is for our pleasure and yes it increases the property values when done well and it holds soil in place. The beauty gives us a visually appealing place to come home to after a hectic day and is a relaxing hobby. But when we refuse to think outside of that box we're all programmed in to regarding bedding plant selections and yard after yard of thirsty green grass, having and keeping up with a landscape can become stressful and costly. That sure isn't paradise!

Using adaptable and native plants, preparing the soil and mulching everything from flowers, shrubs, veggies to your planters will help greatly in the area of conservation. Check out the seven basic principals of xeriscape landscaping. It isn't just rocks and cactus.

Additionally, installing a rain water harvesting system for landscape irrigation use is a good option. We just had a 1500 gallon tank installed on the barn here at the shop. It wasn't up in time for that 7 inch gully washer, but we're catching whatever falls from here on out. We'll put a few pics up or you can come and see it in person! Greg with The Rain Well has many different sizes and options to choose from, but you can see a working system in place here at the shop.

Many cities implemented watering restrictions last year which sent many folks into a panic. Soaker hoses going 24/7 caused more over- watering problems than the drought may have caused on its own. The city of Dallas only asked that its residents didn't water between the hours of 10 am and 7 pm with sprinklers. This is a good idea anyway during the summer months. The tiny droplets of water are easily blown away and evaporated long before they hit the plants, much less make it all the way to the soil.

Hand watering is by far the best and most efficient use of landscape water because you can apply the water directly to the root area of the plants, and only the plants that actually need it.

If you have recently laid sod, plugs or seeded your lawn, a sprinkler may be necessary to get it established. But try to plan your plantings of this nature when we expect normal rainfall amounts and that way you'll save on the watering.