Mar 28, 2022
Sustainable Drainage and Irrigation
In early spring, melting snow, rainstorms, and dripping icicles turn once-solid ground into a muddy sponge. At Nature Works Land Care, we embrace this season and its challenges, recognizing that poor water management can be costly and even dangerous.
WHAT IS WATER MANAGEMENT?
Cities and towns manage water on a large scale, maintaining drainage systems and repairing infrastructure damaged by weather. Homeowners have similar responsibilities, such as redirecting seasonal runoff, managing erosion, and irrigating landscapes during dry months. This often involves extensive systems, from storm drains to elaborate sprinklers.
Alternatively, sustainable water management uses local resources by capturing and storing rainwater. Solutions can be as simple as rain barrels under gutters or as complex as drip irrigation systems, adapted to specific needs and environmental conditions.
WHY SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT MATTERS
Sustainable practices do more than save money and benefit the environment—they require a rethinking of how communities manage resources. Addressing one issue can improve outcomes in other areas, as demonstrated in Philadelphia’s green stormwater system, which improved not only environmental health but also social outcomes like crime reduction and mental well-being.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
We influence our ecosystems, consciously or not. By choosing native plants, reusing rainwater, and partnering with companies focused on sustainable practices, we contribute to ecological health. Educate yourself, join community groups, vote, and support environmental causes. Advocacy is crucial in countering short-sighted solutions.
5 SUSTAINABLE WATER PRACTICES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Collect Rainwater: Use rain barrels for irrigation to save on costs and reduce runoff.
Match Plants to Environment: Choose native plants adapted to your ecosystem for better efficiency and resilience.
Water Mindfully: Use drip irrigation and water plants at the roots to conserve water and protect foliage.
Avoid Paved Pathways: Use permeable materials like crushed stone or mulch to reduce runoff and erosion.
Find a Sustainability Partner: Connect with friends, neighbors, or a professional land care company for support in sustainable practices.
At Nature Works Land Care, we value a reciprocal relationship with nature and are here to help. contact us for a consultation.
