When we consider going green, we often consider car emissions or energy efficiency in the home space. These are all worthy goals to think about.
The question of water conservation can sometimes be neglected in these all-important conversations. Still, the UK is expecting more droughts to occur as things like heatwaves become a more regular occurrence, and water conversation will undoubtedly be a topic on many people’s minds as the problems become more prevalent.
So, it’s easy to take water for granted. It needs to be managed carefully for the good of all. There are a variety of circumstances where competent water management is key, including during landscape gardening projects.
What does one need to know about these circumstances? What can be done? Answers are below!
The Main Goals
Before we get into the ‘how’ of water management during landscape gardening, it’s important to delve deeper into the ‘why’ behind it all. We know what’s important, but knowing the intricacies of why that is in a landscape gardening context can make conservation efforts more effective.
There are three main goals for water management during these projects. They are:
- Implementing anti-storm measures – Green roofs, permeable paving, and rain cisterns and barrels can collect and filter excess rainwater. These promote further eco-friendly goals; ensuring drainage systems don’t overflow and putting a stopper on subsequent water pollution.
- Promoting biodiversity – Gardens are homes to many creatures. Birds and insects all need water, and they’ll visit to get it where they can. Some of these species may settle and create nearby habitats if they know a reliable water source is nearby. Of course, plant life also benefits from robust irrigation strategies.
- Reducing water waste – Repetitive use of water sources can deplete them and jeopardise long-term sustainability goals. Earth is constantly filling up with more people, and there needs to be greater emphasis on conserving and recycling what we already have rather than overusing natural resources.
So, now we know what’s at stake. Let’s move on and figure out what can be done to better water management during a landscape gardening project.
So, now we know what’s at stake. Let’s move on and figure out what can be done to better water management during a landscape gardening project.
Who Can Help You
As one might expect, overseeing water management during a landscape gardening project is quite the task! It’s perfectly doable, but special support could be necessary.
Landscape gardeners are highly trained in water management techniques during the project. They’ll be able to design and install irrigation systems (more on that later), advise you on choosing the types of plants you wish to grow (more on that later, too), and ultimately help you come up with a water-friendly design. They can perform water audits and tailor their work processes accordingly as well.
Fortunately, local landscape gardeners near you can easily be found on MyBuilder’s website. All of the services they list have been vetted and well-reviewed, and they publish the complete work history of many of them. When you detail your job proposal, mention the need for excellent water management techniques, and the local landscape gardeners up for the task will reach out to you. You can verify their qualifications before engaging.
We’ve suggested MyBuilder’s website because you can find more than local landscape gardeners here. You’ll also find tree surgeons, conservatory installers, groundworkers, and general gardeners here too. Water conservation can play into their roles as well as they consider local wildlife and potentially dig deep beneath the soil.
What Can You Do?
Deferring to specialist judgement is essential when you’re aiming to conserve water during a landscape gardening project. However, there’s plenty you’re capable of doing for yourself.
Some of these measures will come down to common sense. For example, it’s best to feature native plants from the UK in your garden if water conservation is important to you. They will require less maintenance and watering as they are accustomed to the national climate. You can deviate here somewhat if you’re a fan of plant species that can withstand drought conditions, which will mitigate irrigation needs. Landscape gardening services can help, but they’re not always essential here.
If you do plant things that need more watering, you can apply a layer of organic mulch. These measures should help regulate soil temperatures, reduce weed growth, and help the plants retain good levels of moisture.
Mitigating irrigation needs doesn’t cancel them out entirely. It may be worth installing smart sensors that can provide detailed analytics on soil moisture levels. Too high, and you can adjust watering as required. The runoff and evaporation that comes from targeted watering techniques, like drip irrigation, can also greatly reduce the amount of water your landscape gardening project uses. Responsible use is essential – avoid overspray and check your watering equipment for leaks.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to take in, but hopefully, you’ll appreciate the importance of water management during a landscape gardening project. Your efforts here can help preserve local wildlife, and you can work with specialists to ensure no stone goes unturned. You’re never out of your depth, either – there’s plenty to muck in with on your side. Do your best and effect positive change!
