In order to have a well-kept and he althy garden, we must remember to systematically water the plants, especially in the summer. Is it possible, however, to reconcile ecology with economy? In other words: can you reduce your garden water consumption and save money without harming your plants? Of course. Let's take a look at the solutions proposed below. Eco-friendly watering can be cheap.
Water generously
This is the basic rule for irrigating plants.It is better to water the plants with larger doses and less often,so that the water gets into the deeper layers of the substrate than often in small amounts.Properly carried outwateringshould deliver water to the roots 10-15 cm deep. Frequent but superficial watering is ineffective. It only leads to large evaporative losses of water. It also adversely affects the development of the root system, which grows to the sides instead of deep into the ground. As a consequence, plants are less resistant to drought and more susceptible to freezing in winter. 
The water flow in the Fiskars spray lance is infinitely adjustable with the thumb.
We irrigate in the morning or in the evening
The garden is best watered in the morning (6-8 am) or in the evening (5-7 pm).It is not recommended to water the plants in the afternoon hoursduring strong sunlight, as it leads to large losses of water as a result of its evaporation. 
The S Fiskars hose reel can be mounted on the wall. The universal connection fits the taps of the three most popular diameters.
We prepare the substrate
Already at the stage of planting, the substrate should be properly prepared in order to increase its sorption properties and prevent too fast penetration of water into the deeper parts of the soil. This is especially important in the case ofsandy soils, which dry quicklyIn order to increase the soil's water storage capacity, it is best to dig it with compost, manure or humus soil. Humus is characterized by a very large water capacity, which favors the effective use of water from rainfall and watering. In addition, thanks to the high content of humus in the soil, lumpy structures are formed in it, which improve the water-air properties of the substrate. 
It is good to improve sandy soil with compost. A lightweight ergonomic spade, e.g. from the Fiskars product family, will work perfectly at work.
We recognize the needs of plants well
Good to knowwater requirements of plants growing in the garden Then we will avoid frequent watering of those species that cope well with dry ground. It is also worth paying attention to the selection of plants for a specific position. In sunny and dry places, for example, junipers, lavenders, swarms and sedum should be planted.
We install irrigation systems
Significant savings in water consumption will be provided by the irrigation system.Water from the drip lines slowly seepsunder the plants and gradually penetrates the substrate. As the drip lines run underground or in a layer of mulch, there is no loss of water. Irrigation systems are perfect for plants that like constantly moist soil, e.g. rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas, and also in a vegetable garden. Alldrip lines and sweating garden hoses will work perfectly here. 
The photo shows the Fiskars connected irrigation hose system. One end of each hose is plugged and the other end is equipped with an On / Off valve to regulate the water flow.
We mulch the beds and flower beds
Another way to reduce water consumption in the garden isbedding the beds.A layer of bedding effectively reduces water evaporation and has a positive effect on keeping moisture in the substrate longer. In the ornamental garden, we most often use pine bark and decorative stone for this purpose, but cones and compost are also perfect, and in the vegetable garden, straw and sawdust are cut into the vegetable garden. 5-6 cm thick. 
Mulching of crops is an effective and ecological way to retain water in the substrate. The photo shows a light Fiskars shovel in action.
We collect rainwater
Rainwater is soft, clean, has a slightly acidic reaction and is perfect for watering plants, and after using the most ordinary filters, also for washing hands or washing a car. The average annual rainfall in Poland is 600 mm / m² (converted into 0.6 m³), therefore 60 m³ of water can be collected from a 100 m² roof.One m³ is 1000 l, soannual rainfall gives 60 thousand. liters of rainwater!What is best to store such supplies in. There are special burying containers for sale. They are available in complete sets with pumps, hoses, filters. They are strong enough to be buried under the garage entrance. 
The barrel for collecting rainwater from the roof will fill up in no time during a shower.
Form depressions around the plants
A proven way to keep water under the plants isdigging up pits - bowls,where water can collect. This is true for hand-watering larger shrubs and fruit trees. Thanks to the bowls, the water does not spill beyond the reach of the root ball. 
Thanks to the recess, the water does not spill beyond the marked area.
We invest in drivers
If we are going on vacation and we do not want to worry about the lawn and plants in our garden, let's think about equipment that will relieve us of irrigation. An excellent solution aredrivers , which can be easily programmed. Together with sprinklers, they form an irreplaceable duo that will work well in any garden. The devices are simple to set up and use, they automatically turn the water on and off according to our schedule. The large, readable LCD display makes programming easy and intuitive. We just set the work start and stop times, watering frequency and duration. 
The Fiskars dual controller can be programmed to start watering independently on the two outputs.
Loosen the ground with a hoe
In order for the substrate to retain moisture longer, the soil should be regularly rolled. This breaks the soil capillaries by which water is pulled up from the deeper layers of the soil. 
Motivation is used not only to weed out weeds. It is also a cheap and quick way to improve the soil moisture. The photo shows a Fiskars hoe in action.
