Saving water in the garden: xeriscaping, forest garden & rainwater harvesting

You look up at the sky, then at the weather app: Will the promised rain arrive? At the beginning of the year, things were looking bleak. According to the German Weather Service (DWD), from the beginning of February to mid-April , an average of only around 40 liters of rain per square meter fell – an absolute record low since records began in 1931. The result: According to the drought monitor of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, soil dryness is already exceptionally high – and summer is still to come. However, with the following gardening and irrigation methods, soils and plants can be kept sustainably healthy even in dry periods.

The bad news first: Your beloved lawn is the number one water guzzler. Depending on the location, soil type, lawn type, and weather conditions, it needs up to five liters per square meter per day, so its needs add up quickly, especially during extended dry periods. A garden laid out on several levels, on the other hand, is water-saving. In a so-called woodland garden, native trees, as well as bushes, shrubs, and ground cover plants, mimic the vegetation at the edge of a forest. This natural vegetation saves water in two ways: Due to different root depths, the plants draw moisture from the soil more efficiently, and the variety of growth heights also promotes a cooler microclimate, which reduces evaporation and keeps the soil moist longer.

During prolonged drought, many plants reach their limits. Typical signs of drought stress are limp, discolored, or damaged leaves. In later stages, they shed leaves, flowers, and fruit to conserve energy. In the long term, climate-adapted plant selection using the xeriscaping method can help. The term is derived from the Greek word "xeros" (dry) and the English "landscaping" (garden design) and was coined in the arid southwest of the USA in the early 1980s. The basic idea: avoid plants with high water requirements and use drought-resistant plants. However, the garden doesn't have to resemble a desert. Depending on the location, water-loving plants such as hydrangeas, black currants, and mountain ash can be replaced with equally attractive succulents, lavender, cornelian cherry, and black elderberry.

Plants that can survive with less water are well suited to dry summers.

Source: IMAGO/Frank Rogozienski

And don't forget to mulch! Covering beds with organic materials protects the soil from drying out.

The Cornelian cherry also requires less water than other native species.

Source: IMAGO/Zoonar.com/Jürgen Hust

Tap water should be taboo for garden watering, especially during prolonged dry periods. Besides the high cost factor, supply security is paramount. Anything that seeps away in the garden is no longer available for other purposes. Rainwater is the magic word here: If you have the space, it's best to set up several barrels and connect them to gutters to collect as much precipitation as possible. Underground cisterns are suitable for rainy areas, as they can store large quantities of water in the wetter months. But precipitation can also be collected on small balconies, for example in buckets or by hanging a tarpaulin that collects the water over a large area. Grey water from the household can also be recycled for watering, provided it does not contain additives such as soap. Simply collect the water used for cleaning fruit and vegetables or the cold water in the shower and use it for watering.

The best water reservoir is the garden itself. It absorbs moisture and feeds it back into the cycle during dry periods. However, this only works if it's watered effectively—otherwise, the water simply flows away. Here's how to water in the most resource-efficient way possible:

• Less frequently, but more abundantly: Watering thoroughly once or twice a week is usually sufficient. Slight drying out even stimulates the plants' root growth, allowing them to establish deeper roots and become more stress-resistant.
• The right time: Ideally, water your garden in the morning. At this time, the soil is still cool and less susceptible to evaporation than during the day. Stop watering as soon as puddles form to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
• Water close to the ground: Water shrubs, vegetables, and young plants directly at the roots. This prevents moisture from accumulating on the leaves and potentially causing fungal infections. Drip and soaker hoses can help here, reducing water consumption by up to 70 percent.
• Smart watering: Automatic irrigation systems with moisture sensors in the beds help to optimally adjust the amount and timing of water to meet needs. Combined with rainwater collectors, they are particularly resource-efficient.

Smarter watering is also possible with ollas, porous clay pots that are buried in the ground.

Source: IMAGO/Martin Bertrand

• Rustic technique: Ollas are a bit simpler. These porous clay pots are buried in the garden bed, filled with water, and only release water when the surrounding soil is dry. This saves valuable resources and time, as the ollas take care of the watering for days.