How Drought Affects Your Home And Garden

When you think of prolonged dry weather, does the term drought come to mind? Well-below average precipitation, even in typically dry areas, is detrimental for your home and garden. These problems can be further exacerbated by increased water consumption, but there are several ways to reduce your water bill and save money along the way.

While droughts can be defined in many terms, three main drought types are commonly discussed:  Hydrological drought, best described by the depletion of available water associated with watersheds, such as lakes, reservoirs and ponds; meteorological drought, a lack of precipitation, or a normally rainy area that gets less rain than usual, and agricultural drought, when shortages in water supply extend deep into the soil due to a prolonged dry period. The reduction in water supply can lead to stress and growing problems for crops.

Droughts can cause local authorities to restrict water use. Several simple practices to conserve water are listed below:

• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
• Do not use water to defrost frozen foods; instead, thaw them overnight.
• Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading them into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
• Avoid using the garbage disposal, instead discard your scraps into the trash can.
• Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.
• Do not let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.
• Take short showers; conserve water or if possible, turn the water off while soaping or shampooing.
• If you have small children, only fill the tub half way and bathe them together.
• Never use the toilet as a waste basket.

There are many more ways to conserve additional water around the house during a drought:

•  Sweep driveways rather than hosing them off.
• Wash your car with a water bucket instead of a hose, or even better, consider visiting a carwash that recycles water.
• Avoid purchasing recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water.
• If you have a swimming pool, consider purchasing a new water-saving filter.

Just like our bodies, plants need water to grow and stay healthy. A drought-stressed garden can be vulnerable to pests and disease. Fortunately, home gardeners can keep gardens healthy, even during times of drought by following several straightforward rules. 

Simple measures can be taken to protect your lawn and garden even before a drought strikes. The best thing to do is water the garden early in the day. The water will have a chance to sufficiently soak into the topsoil and roots; if done around midday, the sun would cause much of the water to evaporate. Follow the rule, "make every drop count", by collecting rainwater via rain barrels; by doing this, it helps lower your water bill. 

Additional ways to keep your lawn healthy and reduce water bills, include:

• Watering lawns separately from other plantings, using a hose but controlling the flow with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
• Minimize or eliminate chemical fertilizing, which artificially promotes new growth that will need additional watering. 
• When maintaining your lawn, raise the lawn mower cutting height, allowing the grass blades to shade each other, meaning reduced evaporation, which will inhibit weed growth.
• Plant trees or build your garden around groups of trees to protect it from direct sunlight.

These water-saving measures, both inside the house and in the garden, will go a long way in conserving water and saving money.

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Caption: Dry and cracking mud (Wikimedia Commons)