Outdoor Water Conservation Tips from Farmers

There is probably no group of people that knows more about water conservation than farmers do. These great folks are giving back to their communities by helping others to learn about saving water. The tips that one group of Maryland farmers is offering can be useful for all of us who are interested in reducing water waste.

Why Farmers Know About Water Conservation

Farmers are a group that really must know about water conservation for a few key reasons:

• Sufficient water is required for them to make a living. Crops won’t grow without it. They must have water to use even in the driest seasons.
• Water costs must be kept at a minimum. Many small farms are shutting down to financial problems. All costs must be reduced include unnecessary water costs.
• Many states are requiring it. A lot of the water conservation rules that have been put into place in recent years have been launched in the agricultural sector.

Who Are The Maryland Farmers?

Farmers who have this water conservation knowledge can aid their communities by teaching these skills to others. One such group is a Maryland group doing a campaign called “Take it From Maryland Farmers: Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay”. They want to protect Chesapeake Bay water quality while still producing healthy crops. Part of how they do this is by teaching water conservation to others.

Some Top Water Saving Tips from Farmers

Some of the tips these farmers have shared include:

• Don’t water during the hottest hours of the day.
• Water slowly when watering outside so that the water can be absorbed and doesn’t turn in to runoff.
• Let grass grow. Keeping it a bit higher than usual helps to keep in the moisture.
• Cover newly planted gardens with mulch to reduce water evaporation.
• Make sure your sprinkler system isn’t watering the sidewalk. Make sure that you turn off timed sprinklers if it has recently rained or if your plants are still moist from other watering.
• Recycle water. Use rain barrels, greywater and other water recycling options.
• Engage in xeriscaping. Landscape naturally to avoid the need for too much water.

See more of the farmers’ tips at http://www.iwantmarylandsbest.com/.