As August arrives, it gets hotter and hotter here in Washington. One of the biggest problems hobby gardeners face is keeping everything properly irrigated. Many gardeners have to hand water their gardens the same way their grandparents did. As you know, this consists of many trips back and forth to the water source. This isn’t just backbreaking work but also time-consuming. Having your own irrigation system in your garden can save you a lot of time and keep your plants hydrated a lot longer, resulting in healthier plants. Thankfully, there are some low budget ways to keep your gardens and flower beds watered.

Drip Irrigation

This simple and effective irrigation system is what you usually see at your local greenhouse or garden center. All you need is a hose with holes punched in at certain spots. Attach one end to your outdoor spigot and then lay the hose around your plants. Unlike sprinklers that water everything, including the weeds, drip irrigation will allow for a constant yet steady flow of water directly to the desired plants. 

Five-Gallon Bucket Drip System

This method is a modification of the drip irrigation system. This works well for gardens that are located further away from a water source or if you have too short a hose. All you need is one or several five-gallon buckets. Attach a spigot that can be bought online or at any garden center. Attach your drip hose to the spigot and fill the bucket with water. This is a great option if you only want to give your plants a certain amount of water and not worry about overwatering. Another benefit of using a bucket irrigation system is you can mix in any fertilizers you want. If one bucket doesn’t water all your plants, then put two, three, or as many as you need. Just be sure to put a lid over the bucket to prevent mosquitoes from turning it into a breeding zone.

In-Ground Bucket Irrigation System

Another use for a five-gallon bucket is to use it as an in-ground slow-release watering system. Just drill a bunch of evenly spaced holes around the base of the bucket and place it ⅔ of the way in the ground next to your plants. Then all you do is add water and fertilizer and it will seep out through the holes. This way water goes directly to the roots and you won’t be watering any weeds.

DIY Bottle Sprinkler

One of the cheapest irrigation methods is the bottle sprinkler. All you need for this one is a plastic soda bottle and a connector so a hose can attach to it. Poke several holes in the bottle. That’s it! Now just turn on the water and you have made your own DIY sprinkler system.

Rain Catcher System

Many gardeners rely on rain catchers as their source of water for irrigation and for watering their animals. If you have more rainwater than you know what to do with, attach a spigot to your rain catcher and run a hose or PVC line to your garden. This environmentally friendly irrigation system is all gravity fed and requires no work from you besides turning the spigot on or off. 

Irrigation System Maintenance

Using these simple irrigation methods works great for gardens and flower beds. But as for your yard, you might need something a little more powerful. Professional irrigation maintenance from Colonial Lawn and Garden will keep your Washington lawns watered properly so you never have to worry about it. 

Call us today for a free consultation. If in Yakima, call us at (509) 966-1655. If in the tri-cities area, call us at (509) 371-1655 or leave a written message here. You can find us on Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date on current news. Be sure to check out our monthly blog for more lawn care tips.