Water Rate Increases

[rebbetzin]

My gardening is going to be limited to some very small areas. This is just not a good week for me!! Our water bills are going up by about 50%... And that is before I put any water on the ground!!

My husband has given me a new limit on my water use... from $85.00 to $120.00 a month. Which is reasonalble. But... I think my days of trying to have a cottage garden in Tucson are now numbered! I won't be surprised if the City comes and tell us what we can and can not grow in our yards.

 

[wifezilla]

I think it is time for an outdoor shower with a gray water recover system or a retro fit on your washing machine waste water.

 

[beavis]

yes, grey water conservation

http://urbanhomestead.org/photos/gallery.php?gid=120

 

[vfem]

Most certainly, we try to use bathwater to water the potted plants around the house at least. There are a lot, so I think it helps!

 

[wifezilla]

Do you have rain barrels? I know it doesn't rain much, but if you can collect it when it does, it will help. Also, how do you water? Can you switch to a drip system?

I really like the way this rain barrel works and it really fits in with southwest decor
http://www.gardeners.com/Rain-Catcher-Urn-65-Gallon/Watering_RainBarrels,38-683,default,cp.html

 

[ducks4you]

Have you ever considered lining gardening areas with plastic? You could punch a limited amount of holes in them to keep in moisture in your very very dry climate. You could probably use your throwaway shower curtains, or recycle something else, and save your water bill.

 

[rebbetzin]

At my rain gutters, I have a 50 gal stock tank on one and a 30 gallon wading pool at the other. I collect the water in old plastic containers and keep over 100 gallons in my potting shed to use when I don't feel like dragging out the hose, or to use on seedlings and new cuttings. Being we get less than 12 inches of rain a year. Water Colletion is not all that great. So far, this rainy season I have had less than 5 inches of rain so far. I can use the entire amount from one good rainstorm in less than a day!

I have my husband save his bath and shower water for me. I dump the water from dishes in a bucket and use that on the garden. My washer has always watered the side yard with the grey water.

I have lined a few beds with plastic, and some even with metal to keep out the pine roots from the two huge pine trees in the backyard. They SUCK all the moisture out of the ground in no time! and invade even the pots, through the drain holes!!. I do have a few 15 to 25 gallon plastic pots from the nursery that I put in the ground to use as planters. I have to cover the holes to keep out the pine roots!!

Every time I plant a new plant, I add Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting soil, because the Coir is great for holding in moisture. I add it to my raised beds every fall and spring. I add my own compost regularly to the soil. I mulch with a thick layer of straw in the summer

I am doing about all I can think to do... I may have to succumb to the reality that I live in a desert!!! When it is over 100 for days on end my garden really suffers unless I keep the ground somewhat moist. I suppose it is time to Xeriscape!! What a Bummer!!
PEI Here I come!!!

 

[ducks4you]

You might just have to suck it up and go the greenhouse route.

 

[wifezilla]

Sounds like you are doing all the right things. I guess your next step is stealing gray water from the neighbors



Oh hey...check this out...
"Thanks to TerraCottem watering is limited to 50 % of the normal volume and plant production is at least the double."
http://desertification.wordpress.com/2007/03/07/des-legumes-dans-le-desert-vegetables-in-the-desert/

 

[rebbetzin]

You might just have to suck it up and go the greenhouse route.

A greenhouse might be ok in the winter, but in the summer it would have to be air conditioned!! The plants would cook without a cooler of some kind.