Why Recycling Garden Water Responsibly Is Vital
Runoff water from irrigation accounts for roughly one-third of water usage in the United States. That’s why recycling garden water doesn’t only benefit your water bill; it can cut down on the costs of water treatment plants and the rate at which humans are using up our fresh water in general. Recycling garden water can be as easy as bringing a bucket to put under planters during watering. And it keeps harmful fertilizer and garden chemicals out of your city’s tap water.
Carry A Bucket With You
If you use a watering can or hose, you have a first-hand view of how much water you use in your garden. Splashing water onto the ground and letting it soak through the soil is sadly all too common though, especially in hydroponics. If you use raised planters, or perforated hanging baskets, consider placing a bucket under them while you water. Your plants aren’t going to absorb all that water on the first pass, so save that water and dump it on again later.
Keep Track Of What’s In Your Water
There’s a reason decontamination plants exist. Black water, or water from toilets and sources of the like, are bad for your garden and can contaminate the soil. Likewise, if you plan to recycle your garden waste and plant water don’t dump it into a city drain. Although more water treatment plants are becoming savvy to this, the chemicals used to purify tap water rarely target the microbes from soil or fertilizer, so keep garden water separate if you’re unsure what your plant is capable of.
Don’t Use A Hose When You Don’t Have To
Finally, consider some of the water that never even makes it to your plants! Rainwater can be easily collected in barrels, and many garden owners even divert gutters into containers rather than let it soak in uselessly to the dirt around your garden. This gray water might not be safe to drink, but it can allow you to utilize natural rain for even longer in your garden, recycling runoff that can now save you money and time, and that’s still fresh and uncontaminated to boot!
Greener is Better
Irrigation is one of the biggest areas where we can improve our recycling habits today. Gray water and runoff that might not be ready to drink can still help our plants, and we can collect the water hanging baskets, and perforated planters don’t absorb to use a second time. As long as you dispose of muddy or contaminated waters properly when you’re done, you may quickly see your improved gardening habits lowering your water bill, as well.
