Released July 3, 2008
SALINA, Kan. – The Big E’s on Americans’ minds this year – the economy and the environment – have again made saving water in the home landscape an increasingly hot topic.
“More than half of all water used by the average U.S. household is used outdoors. Since we don’t haul out the hose much during winter, that means summer’s water bill increases can be significant,” said Chip Miller, Kansas State University Research and Extension horticulturist.
Two environmental factors also are supporting efforts to save water, Miller said.
First, underground aquifers are shrinking, and warming temperatures are evaporating more and more surface water. This is beginning to pit cities against industries against agriculture.
Pollution continues to reduce water availability, too, Miller added. One contributor is runoff from irrigated yards and gardens that have been treated with fertilizers, herbicides, and the like.
Miller said the following can be a good start toward coping with the Big E’s in the yard:
- Keep adding organic matter to soil. It makes moisture more readily available to plants, increases sandy soil’s water-holding capacity, and reduces clay soil’s tendency to promote runoff.
- Don’t garden where plants need extra water because they’re competing with tree roots.
- If practical, capture and use rain. Or, help it to stay clean and exit (e.g., dry streambed).
- Water early in the day, when cooler temperatures will limit evaporation.
- Avoid watering during windy weather, which also promotes evaporation.
- Water slowly, deeply and infrequently to encourage plants to develop deep roots.
- Keep the soil surface loosened and mulched.
- Operate/maintain irrigation systems properly, and ensure water gets to where it’s needed. Employ low water pressure with coarse sprinkler droplets or with systems that drip, trickle or ooze.
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http://isis.oznet.ksu.edu/KSRENews/story/briefs070308.aspx
Contact: Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu
