08/30/2000 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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A Tx'Et R C O'_N,`S E R. V`A T 1: 0 • f In your backyard If you rely on watering to make your lawn grow and your garden productive, consider a more efficient system. There are several ways to improve the use of water. Use water again When it rains, if no water recycling system has been planned, the water that runs off your house keeps on going to the storm sewer. By saving that water, and reusing it on your gar- den or lawn later, you save energy and water. A simple recycling system directs water from eavespouts to a storage barrel.You fill a bucket with water from the storage barrel and carry the water to your garden.This is a simple and effective system. However, you may want a more elaborate method of capturing and distributing rain water. Watering to save energy • Q Whenever practical, water in the early morning. Q.," In arid climates, it's okay to water in the evenings and at night.You'll lose less water to evaporation than if you watered in the middle of the day, and the plants are less stressed and can take up the water more efficiently. Mulch or fiber cloth preserves soil moisture.You can find sup- plies and information at a nursery or hardware store. Consider planting native species.They usually use little or no water beyond normal rainfall. Drip irrigation benefits A drip irrigation system will provide water directly to the plant.You can control the flow to each plant. PREVIOUS PAGE (top) Terraced flowerbeds; (bottom) Farming grassed terraces on the contour. THIS PAGE (top) Drip irrigation in vegetable garden; (bottom) Efficient drip irrigation on the farm. Drip irrigation ranges from inexpensive soaker hoses to elaborate computerized systems.There may be an up -front investment, but you'll use less water and have . better water distribution. Garden or hardware stores will have the supplies you need. You may even want to engineer your own system from a gar- den hose. Be sure not to overapply fertilizer when using a drip system. Ron Nlotblt. USDA On the farm Drip irrigation, commonly used on fruits and vegetables, minimizes the amount of water that . evaporates, and it maximizes the - amount that is used by plants. By placing: the water directly on the plant, or next to it„ less water evaporates and less is. wasted on bare soil., - use less energy to pump water and, since', they spray water downward, less water evaporates before it, reaches the crop Farmers implement ';` other water. management practices to reduce -the amount of water used to prOdUck a crop n W