If you’re like a lot of people, you’re becoming a little more environmentally conscious with each passing day. We recycle more than we ever did, install more energy-saving appliances, and generally take more steps to reduce our footprint on the earth than we have in years past. If you have a garden, however, you might be feeling guilty about your water usage. However, there are steps that you can take to keep it fresh and green while being more conscious of your water usage.

Give Yourself Less to Garden

If you’re looking at redesigning your garden space, then it might be a good idea to start off with some landscaping. In particular, you might want to think about reducing the amount of garden that you have to contend with, in the first place. Using decking, patio pavings, concrete, or otherwise can help you cut back on the size of lawn that you have and the number of flower beds that you have to water in the first place. You don’t have to cut the green out of your garden by any means, but you can certainly reduce it.

Use a Sprinkler or Drip Irrigation Setup

Just how is installing more water-using devices supposed to help you save water? Simply put, your garden is going to need watering no matter what. However, relying on automated systems instead of doing it by hand can make sure you’re only giving it as much water as it needs. Remember to invest in regular sprinkler repair and maintenance to avoid them from suffering from issues that can make them more inefficient over time, as well. If you’re doing it by can, you’re probably using more water than you realize.

Help Your Soil Retain More Water

How you water your soil and care for it can ensure that it retains more moisture, meaning you don’t have to water it as often. First of all, water it in the morning, before the sun rises so that the moisture can settle deep into the soil. Adding organic material such as your fresh grass clippings can help, too, but using mulch is one of the most effective ways to make sure that your soil keeps hold of the moisture you give it.

Make More Use of Your Rainwater

When it rains, you don’t have to use your own water. However, you can also use rainwater retention systems that allow you to catch, keep, and make use of that water when it comes time to water the garden again. You may even be able to connect these systems to any irrigation systems working in your garden so that they will use any available rainwater before they move on using the mains supply, ensuring you’re using every drop as best as possible.

With the tips above, you can start to tackle just some of the ways you might waste water in your garden. You might be able to find little ways you can make additional changes but start with those above, first.