Organic Gardener

Water and Watering

Organic gardeners can cut back substantially on their overall water use through sensible strategies and plant choices.

Water conservation, storage and recycling are essential strategies for organic gardeners. Organic based practices of soil management and plant choice can minimise the use of water in the garden and aide in times of drought.

Water shortage can drastically affect your garden long before obvious symptoms present themselves. wilting and other signs of stress can show much later than other effects such as overall growth performance.

Excess water also has negative effects for a garden. Overly wet soil warms much more slowly and leaves plants susceptible to disease. When the soil is filled with water oxygen is driven out and can lead to the death of root systems.

Using water wisely

The requirements for water vary widely depending on the type of plant as well as its age. Seedlings are dependent on larger quantities of water during the early stages of their development, flowering plants may require water at specific times to encourage flower and seed development.

The most effective time for watering most plants is in the early morning or evening. The air and soil are both cool and less water will be lost due to evaporation.

Water is best directed at the root systems of plants avoiding the leaves. excess water film on a plants leaves leaves them susceptible to disease.

Types of water

Mains Water
Mains water is clean and freely accessible in most gardens, however the chemicals such as chlorine in tap water can be harmful to the soil and damage delicate plants. Mains water also tends to have a high pH level which will affect intolerant plants.

Rain Water
Rainwater is generally clean, free of contaminants and has a low pH which makes it ideal for the organic garden. Rainwater can also be collected and stored relatively easy for later use in dry weather. Gutters and drainpipes can collect substantial amounts in times of rain and large capacity tanks are capable of holding large amounts of water for use in lean times.

Grey Water
Grey water is usually defined as household waste water, excluding sewage. Grey water can be beneficial to your garden proving it isn't overly contaminated with soaps and detergents. For example waste water from dishwashers is normally unacceptable as it contains high levels of detergents. Water from the bath or shower is more suitable proving contaminants such as bath oils and bubble bath are kept low.

Grey water should not be used on plants grown for consumption and should also be rotated through your garden to avoid build ups of materials in the soil

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