Supplying rain barrels and cisterns for your customers to purchase is one way to spread the word about water conservation. (Courtesy of Wakoola Water Gardens)

Gardens need water, and water is getting scarce. In some areas of the country, droughts and water shortages resulted in watering restrictions. To help customers cope with water shortages, retailers can offer these tips for wise water gardening at home:

• Cut back annuals and perennials during dry spells. When it rains, they will bounce back.
• Consider installing a rain barrel or cistern, which come in a variety of sizes — even up to 1,200 gallons. Many of these products come with pumps that give users the same water pressure as a hose. Homeowners also can collect water from their air conditioner and drain spouts. They might be surprised how much water they can get.
• Make adjustments to lawn maintenance. Leave clippings on the lawn to provide shade and hold in moisture. Adjust the mower to a higher setting as longer grass blades provide more protection from the sun. Avoid walking on the lawn during times of drought, and mow lawns as little as possible when water is scarce. Feed the lawn regularly. A healthy lawn can absorb more water and recover better from a period of drought. Aerate the lawn to improve the movement of water and nutrients back into the soil and decrease run-off.
• Consider washing cars on the lawn. This saves valuable resources needed for drinking water.
• Investigate native and drought-resistant plants for your zone.
• Group plants that need the same amount of watering. When watering, pick one or two areas at a time. It is better to give some plants a good soaking, than to give all plants just a little bit of water.
• Consider planting near the curb. These groupings can be watered by run-off, thus saving the need to water them separately. This sometimes is called a rain garden.
• Use a liner when installing a pond to save an enormous amount of water in the long run.
• Make sure the pond is installed by a qualified dealer. Improperly installed ponds often leak.
• Make sure water features do not run off into the grass or surrounding areas.
• Consider using a ‘double-tub’ approach to cleaning the pond. One tub holds the clean water on top, which can then be added back into the pond. <HOME>