Gardeners share water-saving tips

By MARY JANE PARK

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 3, 2000

70 gallons a day Each of us uses just under 70 gallons of water indoors every day. Concern about water consumption increases as we head into the sixth month of below-average rainfall. Water saving clicks

As Drought 2000 drones on, many gardeners in the Tampa Bay area are letting plants droop. Our readers are a resourceful, conservative bunch when it comes to watering the landscape, and they are generous with their advice.

Below are edited versions of suggestions sent to the St. Petersburg Times.

We have taken several steps to combat drought as well as to reduce mowing and string-trimming. We converted our front yard to a partial xeriscape, with azaleas and other ornamentals, burying soaker hoses and then installing Mexican heather and mulch. In areas of plants and trees with no spreading plants (such as along fence lines), we put down layers of newspapers, covered with mulch. The mulch keeps the newspapers wet after watering, retaining moisture in the soil for days. -- W and J Williams, Tampa

Save the rinse water from the washing machine hose. It does take a bit of planning and energy carrying the pails, but the soapy water helps keep the insects away from your bushes and flower beds. -- Barbara J. Ponici, Port Richey.

I discovered after we got our new air-conditioning system that there were puddles of water standing below the pipe where it was dripping. I started collecting it in a bucket, but I had to empty it all the time. I was collecting between 5 and 10 gallons a day, sometimes more.

Finally, I bought a 30-gallon container and a pump. I got an electrician to put a plug on the outside of the house, near where the water was coming from. I plugged in the pump, placed it in the 30-gallon container and cut a little chip off one corner of the top for the wire. The pump has a wide hose. I directed it to the garden, and when the water comes up two-thirds to the top, it automatically discharges the water. I have no water standing near the foundation of my home, and I do not have to carry all those gallons of water. -- Alexandra Peterson, St. Petersburg

We keep a 5-gallon bucket in our kitchen and save the water when we wash our hands. -- Joy Yauslin, Palm Harbor

-- Gardeners, do you have other suggestions for surviving the drought while still obeying water restrictions? Please send them to Drought Tips, Newsfeatures, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or e-mail to features@sptimes.com.

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