Summer Gardens: Water Conservation and Volunteering
It’s the summer drought season here in Seattle, we hope that you’ve been staying cool and hydrated! Have your garden plants been staying hydrated too?
Here are some photos of watering ideas from this year’s Edible Garden tour in Central Ballard:
![](https://www.sustainableballard.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EGT-Water-Mulching-1024x689.jpg)
using mulch (such as this straw) to keep moisture in the ground
![](https://www.sustainableballard.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EGT-Water-Drip-Lines-1024x768.jpeg)
drip irrigation to deliver water precisely to the roots of the plants
![](https://www.sustainableballard.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EGT-Corn-Watering-1024x768.jpg)
these drip irrigation valves can be turned on/off so you only water where you currently have a plant
![](https://www.sustainableballard.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EGT-Water-Barrels-1024x768.jpg)
water barrels and cisterns are great for storing water for when you need it – you can even connect multiple together!
We’ve finished the tour planning for the year, but other gardens are always in need of support! Do you remember the impressive garden at the Labateyah Youth Home featured in last year’s tour? They’ve had a volunteer staffing change and are looking for volunteer support (perhaps gardening assistance through the year or developing harvest and planting plans for the garden). Please Contact Alyssa if you’d like to be connected with them for more information about this volunteer opportunity.