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smallandsoft-garden:
I had to water my backyard today.
The insects and birds are coming to enjoy the water, and in the air lies the smell of summer rain.
It has been one of the dryest Aprils in my life. The news said it was the dryest ones since 2007 (in Germany).
And it’s not only the missing rain. It’s in combination with a lot of sun and even more wind that takes the water away.
In a way I’m lucky with my small backyard, with a lot of shade and a dense soil that keeps in the water. But I am still worried.
The last two summers were the dryest and hottest summers in my life. What if the next one is even worse.
So I sm preparing as good as I can.
I can’t collect the rainwater from the roof, because I need permission from my landlord, but I am planning to buy some big boxes to put outside when rain is coming, to store it for the summer.
But the main thing i have to do is, to reduce evaporation.
I already sowed white clover as a protective layer (and to improve the soil) but I will look into other techniques.
I am open to any ideas and advice you can give.
People are gardening and farming in much hotter and dryer condition than me, and they have been for millennia. There have to be ways to deal with this. And if I have to change my view on gardening, I am willing to do so.
Sustainability also means to adapt to change.
I noticed this too in the UK. I’ve never known such a dry april. Long term plans are to buy a large water tank and alter the plumbing in my house so that the grey water from sinks, showers and baths go into it. In the short term, I’m doing the washing up and then emptying the water into a tub outside, which I’m using to water the garden with. None of the plants seemed to mind dirty, slightly soapy water, and it kept all my seedlings alive.
If you’re on a slope at all, you can also look into digging swales to make the most of the rain that does fall on the garden.
smallandsoft-garden:
I had to water my backyard today.
The insects and birds are coming to enjoy the water, and in the air lies the smell of summer rain.
It has been one of the dryest Aprils in my life. The news said it was the dryest ones since 2007 (in Germany).
And it’s not only the missing rain. It’s in combination with a lot of sun and even more wind that takes the water away.
In a way I’m lucky with my small backyard, with a lot of shade and a dense soil that keeps in the water. But I am still worried.
The last two summers were the dryest and hottest summers in my life. What if the next one is even worse.
So I sm preparing as good as I can.
I can’t collect the rainwater from the roof, because I need permission from my landlord, but I am planning to buy some big boxes to put outside when rain is coming, to store it for the summer.
But the main thing i have to do is, to reduce evaporation.
I already sowed white clover as a protective layer (and to improve the soil) but I will look into other techniques.
I am open to any ideas and advice you can give.
People are gardening and farming in much hotter and dryer condition than me, and they have been for millennia. There have to be ways to deal with this. And if I have to change my view on gardening, I am willing to do so.
Sustainability also means to adapt to change.
I noticed this too in the UK. I’ve never known such a dry april. Long term plans are to buy a large water tank and alter the plumbing in my house so that the grey water from sinks, showers and baths go into it. In the short term, I’m doing the washing up and then emptying the water into a tub outside, which I’m using to water the garden with. None of the plants seemed to mind dirty, slightly soapy water, and it kept all my seedlings alive.
If you’re on a slope at all, you can also look into digging swales to make the most of the rain that does fall on the garden.