Blue gold for green treasures

A joint report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that over two billion people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water. Nearly half of the world’s population lives in regions that are affected by significant water scarcity for at least one month every year. At the same time, global water consumption is increasing by around 1% annually.^{1 2} Even in areas that don’t traditionally struggle with water scarcity, it soon becomes clear just how precious water is when there’s a heat wave. Households use huge volumes of water every single day – for basic hygiene, cleaning, cooking, eating and drinking.

Stay smart and save when watering your garden

The combined surface area of all public and private gardens is enormous. And it is important not to underestimate the impact these areas have on quality of life, health, air quality, CO₂ absorption, flood protection, biological diversity and the conservation of flora and fauna. Particularly in cities, plants and green spaces fulfil important functions. Gardens provide fresh air to their surroundings and filter out pollution and particulates. Trees, shrubs, and green areas also regulate and improve the local climate.

In the garden, gardeners can stay smart and save water by watering efficiently only when plants need it. Using a clever drip irrigation system targeted at the roots is the way to go to minimise evaporation and to cut back on the amount of water which is poured onto plants in the first place. What’s more, the plants will get the exact amount of water they need. The result is healthier plants and a richer harvest!³

It’s also best to water the garden with rainwater, an effective solution in terms of protecting the planet and the bank balance. It helps to save tap water, thus conserves resources and is extraordinarily beneficial for plants because it has a lower lime content.

Every drop counts

Plants need to be watered correctly and efficiently if they are to thrive. It soon becomes obvious if they’re getting too little or too much water. Not to mention that an excessive use of resources is a huge waste of money. But now it’s possible to stay on track with the new GARDENA AquaCount Water Meter. It can be attached to a tap, sprinkler, garden hose or pump and water consumption can be measured at the press of a button. This allows gardeners to keep an eye on their water consumption, helping them to use and save water more efficiently.

Find more ideas for natural gardening in the GARDENA eBook Sustainable gardening. Tips and inspirations for a colourful garden ecosystem. More information on efficient water use can be found in the GARDENA e-book Clever Watering and at www.gardena.com/cleverwatering.

^{1 Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, 2000–2020 – UNICEF DATA
2 UN World Water Development Report 2021: Valuing Water | German Commission for UNESCO 
3 Read more here: Study showcases: Richer harvest and healthier plants through automatic irrigation - GARDENA | Online Press Center (media-gardena.com)}