A waterfree garden, or a garden that operates on very little water, is perfect for those who either live in desertlike climates or are simply trying to be as ecoconscious as possible. While it may seem like water is necessary for gardening, there are many plants that thrive in … [Read more...]
Protect your plants from drought by using vinegar
Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) have discovered a new and very simple way to increase drought tolerance in a wide range of plants. Published in Nature Plants, the study reports a newly discovered biological pathway that is activated in … [Read more...]
Is Your Drinking Water Safe? Type in Your ZIP Code and Find Out!
Ever wonder what's really in your tap water, and whether it is safe to drink? Now you can learn about every potentially harmful chemical in their drinking water and whether or not it is at a safe level in yours. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released a new … [Read more...]
Skydrop Smart Sprinkler Controller Giveaway
The most common cause of death for lawn and garden plants isn’t pests, disease, or even drought. The truth is that the most common cause of landscape plant death is over or under-watering. It's a familiar scenario: A homeowner sets their watering system to run at specific … [Read more...]
Using Ollas in the Garden
With a little planning, ollas are a viable and efficient watering mechanism for your garden. This is particularly true for gardens in hotter and drier climates, as ollas reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation and seepage. For travelers, ollas provide a short period of … [Read more...]
4 Efficient Ways to Keep Your Garden Watered
With the approaching summer months bringing potential for severe dry spells, water becomes a precious commodity. At the same time, vegetable crops’ health depends on steady, efficient watering. Add to the mix the occasional weekend trip or longer vacation and you have the … [Read more...]
10 Easy Ways to Build Your Own Rain Barrel
Thinking about building your own rain barrel to save on your water bill? Good idea. DIY rain barrels have become an extremely popular way to collect rainwater to keep your garden watered for free. A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof for … [Read more...]
Shopping for Sprinklers for Gardens and Flower Beds
Some people don't give much thought to which sprinkler they purchase -- which is rather unfortunate considering it plays a key role in your landscaping and water usage. Then, there are others who really want to buy the right one -- but who knows which variety that is? Do you need … [Read more...]
Container Garden Watering Tips
Anyone that has tried their hand at container gardening knows that one of the most difficult aspects of growing in a container is keeping your plants watered. Container gardens need watering much more frequently that other types of gardens, especially in hot or windy areas. While … [Read more...]
6 Drought Tolerant Perennials
The key to any successful garden is proper plant selection. Before you purchase any new plant for your garden, be sure that it will grow in your region. Drought tolerant perennials are no different. It is possible to buy drought resistant plants at your local nursery that will … [Read more...]
Use Zoysia Grass for a Low Maintenance Lawn
Zoysiagrass is a warm season, low maintenance turf grass. It tolerates heat, drought, and salt spray. The low-growing, sod-forming plants spread by stolons and rhizomes. While it prefers full sun, zoysiagrass will tolerate some shade. Zoysiagrasses green up early in the spring … [Read more...]
Downspout Diverters for Rain Barrels
If you plan on hooking up your downspout to your rain barrel, it’s a good idea to incorporate a downspout diverter into your system. A downspout diverter serves two important functions. First of all, it directs the water that comes down the downspout into the barrel. Then, when … [Read more...]
Using Self Watering Planters
I like to garden and grow houseplants, but I also like to travel. I finally figured out how to combine my two pleasures successfully—self-watering pots. With self-watering pots and planters I can go away knowing my plants will get the water they need. Believe it or not, I can … [Read more...]
Lawn Alternatives with Edible Landscaping, Rain Gardens, and Herb Gardens
Have you ever wondered why we fertilize our yards and spray our grass with harmful chemicals that will make it grow faster and fuller and then gripe about the fact that we have to mow it again? Edible Landscaping If you find yourself wondering why you’re out there mowing again … [Read more...]
The Basics of Garden Hose Maintenance and Storage
All about Garden Hoses You can tell a great deal about gardeners from the condition of their hoses. Skilled gardeners know that a hose is an essential gardening tool; they know it must be maintained and stored properly for it to do its important job. No gardener wants the … [Read more...]
How to Conserve Water When Gardening
Use The Rain It’s a challenge for most gardeners to make sure their prized plants thrive in the heat and dryness of summer sometimes. You can keep your water costs down and conserve water by making the most out of what nature provides in the form of rain. A rain barrel is the … [Read more...]
Got Watering and Irrigation Questions?
Did we miss something about watering or irrigation? Let us know, so we can improve the site! Leave us a comment with your question below, and we'll do our best to answer it! And, if we don't know, we'll find out the answer for you. Don't miss our page on lawn watering, too! … [Read more...]
How to Water During Drought or Dry Season
If you’re growing vegetables, you’ll have to deliver a steady and adequate supply of water during the growing season if you want to have good results. Certain plants can go dormant during the dry season or periods of drought but vegetables won’t go dormant – they’ll die. So … [Read more...]
Using a Rain Barrel for Rainwater Harvesting
A rain barrel is a device that collects and stores rainwater that would normally flow off of your roof for later use watering your flower or vegetable garden or your lawn. The amount of water you can collect in these barrels from just one relatively small precipitation event is … [Read more...]
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is an ancient and time-tested way of putting water to work for people and ecosystems in an effective and efficient manner. It is a set of tools and methods used for collecting, storing and utilizing the rainwater that falls on or near your land. Rainwater can … [Read more...]