Tips for saving water

Heatwave: Proper watering needs to be learned

This way, you can maintain your garden even in high temperatures and save water at the same time.

(Bild: Jöchl Martin)

Water is becoming scarce in 471 municipalities. Lower Austria is particularly affected, with more than half of the affected towns and villages located in the vast province. This makes it all the more important to use water sparingly. And this starts with the right plants in the garden or on the balcony. 

To water efficiently and sparingly, you need to water correctly - namely less often, but with more water. Moisten the soil briefly if it has dried out. Then wait a little and then water. 

Irrigation systems save time and water
Another hot tip: always water early in the morning. Watering in the evening, on the other hand, encourages snails and fungal diseases. And if you are on vacation during the heatwave or simply don't have time for watering, irrigation systems can help. Hoses laid on the ground with holes or drippers transport the water directly to the roots. If you don't have such a system, you can also use clay cones. These give off constant moisture and are supplied with water via tubs placed higher up.

Use rainwater!
To save water, you should also use rainwater. This is because rainwater not only conserves resources, but is also lime-free, which in turn benefits most plants. 

And if you use rainwater and therefore set up collection containers, you should also think about the many little animals. "A wooden board or a thick branch in the water storage container allows small garden creatures to climb out again on their own," recommends the "Nature in the Garden" movement.