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Design a Water-Wise Garden

Kaitlyn Hayes By Kaitlyn Hayes

Being more conscious of the water used in gardens is not a responsibility left only to those who experience extreme droughts. If you live in an area that gets regular rain, you might think water is an abundant resource, but this isn’t necessarily the case. Less than 1 percent of the water on Earth is currently available for human use, while our consumption of water continues to increase.

Much of this water usage, and waste, is happening outdoors. According to the EPA, residential outdoor water use accounts for almost 9 billion gallons of water each day in the United States. And as much as 50 percent is lost due to wind, evaporation, and runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems.

Wasting water isn’t just bad for our environment; it’s also bad for our plants, our wallets, and our backs. Overwatering can be just as detrimental as underwatering, both of which cause plants to miss out on key nutrients. Additionally, excess water running off your property can carry nutrients and soil away from the plants that need it and into our waterways. Think of all that precious water (and money!) literally going down our drains.

On top of all of this, choosing more water-wise plants and tweaking your watering techniques can drastically cut down your time with the hose. After all, whoever enjoyed dragging that thing around their yard anyway?

If you’re ready to start being a more water-wise gardener, check out the articles below. You’ll learn more about the science of watering, find stunning drought-tolerant plant options, and discover design tips and techniques that will help you water more efficiently while keeping your garden eye-catching.

Sources

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