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💧 Gardening Through a Low Water Advisory – How to Grow Mindfully and Sustainably 💧
- Eric & Ines
- Aug 2
- 5 min read
The weather has taken a turn again in Eastern Ontario.
After a cool and rainy start to the summer, we’ve now entered a Level 1 – Minor Low Water Advisory, issued by our local conservation authorities yesterday (August 1st, 2025). The past few weeks have brought little to no rain and high daytime temperatures — and looking ahead, we’re not expecting any significant precipitation in the coming days.
This Level 1 advisory means there’s a voluntary 10% reduction in water usage requested across our region. While this may seem minor, early conservation efforts are key to avoiding more serious water restrictions later on. It’s a chance for us — especially as gardeners — to pause, adapt, and respond with care.
What This Means for Gardeners
At My Nordic Garden, we know firsthand how important water is for growing food and medicine. And yes — we still need to water our gardens. But there are many ways we can use less water while still supporting a thriving and productive space.
Here are some practical tips for reducing water usage in your garden, without sacrificing plant health or harvests:
🌱 1. Water Early in the Morning
Watering in the early morning (ideally before 9 AM) helps ensure water gets to the roots where it’s needed — before the sun has a chance to evaporate it. Evening watering is your second-best option, but it can sometimes encourage mildew and fungal diseases if leaves stay wet overnight.
💦 2. Water Deeply, Less Often
Shallow, frequent watering leads to shallow roots — which makes plants less drought-resistant. Instead, water once or twice a week, giving your plants a deep soak that encourages strong, deep roots.
How deep is “deep”? You want the moisture to reach at least 15–20 cm (6–8 inches) into the soil. You can check with a trowel to see how far the water has penetrated.
🍂 3. Mulch Generously
Adding a thick layer of mulch is one of the most effective ways to conserve water in the garden. Mulch:
Retains soil moisture by reducing evaporation
Regulates soil temperature
Suppresses weeds that would compete for water
We recommend 2–4 inches of organic mulch like straw, chopped leaves, grass clippings, or shredded bark — whatever you have on hand.
💧 4. Use Drip Irrigation or Soaker Hoses
Drip systems or soaker hoses deliver water directly to the root zone where it’s needed most — rather than spraying it into the air or onto foliage. This not only reduces water waste through evaporation but also prevents disease by keeping leaves dry.
If you don’t already use drip irrigation, consider it a worthwhile investment — especially during dry seasons.
🌧️ 5. Use Rainwater When Possible
If you collected rainwater earlier in the season (or even last year), now is the time to use it! Rain barrels, cisterns, or even a simple bin of stored water can help reduce your demand on the municipal or well water systems.
Even using rainwater just for seedlings or container plants can make a difference.
🌿 6. Prioritize What You Water
Focus your watering efforts on:
Edible crops
Medicinal plants
Young transplants
Container plants, which dry out faster than in-ground beds
Let lawns go dormant (they’ll recover), and hold off watering ornamental annuals unless they’re in high-visibility areas or critical pollinator zones.
🌾 7. Grow Smarter, Not Harder
Plant selection makes a big difference. Native plants and drought-tolerant varieties are naturally more resilient during dry spells. Mediterranean herbs like thyme, sage, oregano, and rosemary actually prefer dry conditions and need very little watering once established.
Also try grouping plants with similar watering needs together, so you don’t accidentally overwater or underwater parts of your garden.
🧱 8. Improve Your Soil Over Time
Healthy soil holds water better. By building your soil with compost, aged manure, and organic matter, you improve its structure and its ability to retain moisture — so you won’t need to water as often. It’s a long-term investment that really pays off during hot, dry seasons.
🔧 9. Reduce Non-Essential Water Use
Outside of the garden, we encourage everyone to skip unnecessary water use, including:
Washing driveways, fences, or outdoor furniture
Power-washing patios or decks
Filling pools or water features
Running sprinklers on your lawn
Let’s keep our limited water resources focused where they matter most.
💧 10. A word on: The Water-Wise Benefits of Raised Beds
Raised beds are not only great for keeping your garden tidy and accessible — they can also be a valuable tool in reducing water usage when designed thoughtfully.
Here’s how raised beds support water conservation:
Improved Drainage and Moisture Control: Raised beds drain excess water efficiently, but with the right soil mix and mulching, they also retain moisture where it’s needed. Because you're in control of the soil structure, you can create a growing environment that holds water better than many native soils, especially sandy or clay-heavy ground.
Better Soil Quality = Less Frequent Watering: In raised beds, you can build rich, organic soil full of compost and organic matter — which increases the soil’s ability to hold onto water and release it slowly to plant roots over time.
Defined Edges Reduce Waste: Water stays where it’s intended in a raised bed. There's less runoff and less water loss to surrounding areas, especially when paired with mulch or drip irrigation. It’s an efficient setup that makes the most of every drop.
Faster Warming, Earlier Planting: Raised beds warm up earlier in the spring, allowing you to plant sooner — which can give your crops a head start before summer droughts hit.
Easier to Mulch and Manage: Because raised beds are contained, it’s easy to apply mulch effectively, manage water delivery, and monitor your garden’s moisture levels. You can also use shade cloths or row covers more easily during heatwaves to help reduce evaporation.
If you’re working toward a more water-wise and sustainable garden, adding or expanding your raised beds could be a smart next step — especially in areas where water availability may fluctuate more in the years ahead.
🌎 A Collective Effort
Water conservation is not just about individual gardens — it’s about preserving our shared watershed, supporting farmers, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and preparing for the future.
As gardeners, we’re already tuned into the rhythms of nature. This is just one more opportunity to respond with intention, knowledge, and care.
Let’s show that it’s possible to grow a beautiful, bountiful garden even in times of scarcity — and to do it in a way that’s gentle on the planet.
If you found these tips helpful, share this blog post with your gardening friends and neighbors. Small actions, multiplied across a community, truly make a difference. 💚
Stay mindful, stay rooted.
And let’s keep growing — wisely.
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