The earth has many sources of water but we only consume 0.001% and use 70% of it for irrigation purposes. This is strange because a few years ago, the US experienced a severe drought, which affected over 75% of agricultural lands. Couple this with droughts in different corners of the world and you will understand why you need to conserve water for irrigation. In order to meet agricultural needs, experts at Heartnut Grove WWT suggest that we minimize water wastage through the following ways:
1. Use the Right Drip Irrigation System
Drip irrigation is an efficient method that directly delivers water to the root zone of plants, reducing water loss because of runoff or evaporation. The system uses emitters and pipe networks that provide a consistent and slow drip of water. Precisely targeting water where it’s required the most enables the system to optimize plants’ water uptake and minimize water wastage, resulting in improved yields and crop health.
2. Upgrade to Smart Technology
If you use irrigation systems, upgrade to smart controllers or install rain sensors. Smart controllers measure soil moisture as well as conditions to adjust irrigation schedules depending on the landscape conditions. On the other hand, rain sensors are affordable systems and can be retrofitted to different irrigation systems. With these technologies, you can adjust your irrigation system for current and various conditions. Whether or not you’re tech-savvy, upgrading to smart technologies will enable you conserve water as well as save money when maintaining your landscape.
3. Mulch Grass Clippings
Rather than bagging clippings in your garden, consider mulching and letting them settle back into your grass. This way, the clippings will form layers that can trap moisture and prevent your garden from losing too much water when the sun is hot. If you also have a mower, buy special blades. They can mulch clippings when they are still inside your mower.
4. Consider a Pressure Regulator
A pressure regulator will help to ensure your sprinklers work optimally. When the pressure is high, water droplets will optimize, letting wind drift carry a lot of water off-site. Reducing operating pressure will enlarge and add weight to water drops, making them land where you intend them to.
5. Schedule Time for Irrigation
Did you know that most irrigation system users work with a schedule when irrigating their farms? That is because scheduling time for irrigation will help you know when to water your plants and how often. For farmers like you, this may mean reading the weather forecasts, assessing plant conditions, and monitoring soil moisture. This way, you will avoid over-watering and under-watering your plants.
Water is life, this is why we should try to use it responsibly without wasting it. Like other farmers, you already know why it is important to save water during irrigation. Therefore, do all you can to minimize water wastage through solutions, like scheduling time for irrigation, using a pressure regulator, upgrading to a smart tech, mulching turf clippings, and considering a drip irrigation system.
