We all realise water is a valuable thing, and we are responsible enough to know its just plain wrong to leave the sprinkler on. Here's a compromise. I have 4 water storage areas and they are carefully placed and unobtrusive - and very effective. As I mentioned before I am trying to utilise my block using the principles of permaculture - that is minimise what come in, minimise what leaves. How can we use the resources on the property in the best way. How can we become self sufficient, not even need to turn the hose on. Rainwater tanks = expensive - here's a really cheap solution.
I use 1 plastic drum, 2 empty bins, 1 wheelbarrow to collect water. The plastic bin sits at the edge of the outdoor table, glass, which whenever there is a little rain - it all flows into the bin. This is on our deck. When it overflows the excess runs into the wheelbarrow. This happened totally randomly because I was putting the wheelbarrow under to deck away from the weather. It took me a while to realise why it was always full of water!!
1 of the empty bins collect water in the same way off the roof of the kids cubby. The chooks get their water topped up from this, as well as wetting down the compost, and watering the tomatoes. It attracts mosquito larvae, so whenever rain is due I tip it out and start again. Its really effective.
The 2nd bin is located by the hose. From time to time the hose goes on and any drips fall into it, and when the hose goes off the end goes into it so all excess is caught. Its the least effective position, because I dont turn the hose on much.
The vegie patch is mulched in summer, but not in winter. Winter mulch attracts grubs and keeps the soil cold. Clear it away for winter - little is growing fast anyway.
I watered only 4 times over summer, and have watered just as many times in Autumn as there has been little rain, but lots of sunny days, and as I said the mulch is gone now, so the sites are drying. So that's how I do it, add any suggestions below.
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