3 Best Ways to Water a Garden Without Electricity

In this article, Shahraz shares some great information on the best ways to water a garden without electricity, whether it’s an emergency, or you just want to reduce your power bill. As someone who’s had to water my large garden by hand when my well has gone dry, I’m thrilled to have him share this practical information with all of us! -Kait

 

“No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden.” -Thomas Jefferson

 

Do you want to be happy and self-sufficient? Grow a garden!

Gardening is one of the most satisfying hobbies. It keeps you close to nature and has a soothing effect on the mind. What is more satisfying than watching your creation grow and come to fruition?

Gardening is an ethical hobby for many gardeners. For others, it is an ethical business. Most people associated with growing gardens and plants are always looking for ways to conserve water and power. Therefore it is essential to find ways for them to water a garden without electricity.

Stay with us as we discuss some of the best ways to water a garden without electricity. 

 

Why Look for Alternative Ways to Water a Garden?

 

Water, Water Everywhere

But not a drop to drink

Running water is a luxury. In gardening, much of the water is wasted through evaporation.  Many gardeners feel the urge to conserve water and find efficient ways to water.

Most farms or gardens are away from urban facilities. There is less chance of stable power supply and running water there.

It is effortless to water a garden when the grids are friendly and there is running water all year long. However, it becomes a burden on the pocket. Electricity bills soar if you keep running the pump for longer times. Therefore, you must find alternatives to water a garden without electricity.

 

How to water a garden without electricity?

 

There are several ways to water a garden without electricity. You can chose the one that works best for you!  

 

Save Rain Water

 

Saving rainwater sounds old-school and primitive, but ask any passionate gardener to tell you about the importance of rainwater. We are talking about emergencies. Therefore, we need to prep before any unforeseen situation arises.  

There are several ways you can save rainwater. Containers with large volumes are more suitable. You can use drums or larger tanks. Buckets and garbage cans are practical too.

Drums and tanks are more suitable as they have a tap at the bottom. You can attach your hose or pipe to it. (You can find barrels for water storage here from Azure Standard. They are not always in stock, but ship for free when they are. These barrels were used for food, so you don’t have to worry about dangerous chemicals contaminating your water storage!)

 

Store Water in a Tank

 

Do yourself a favor and build a tank. Storing water in a tank specified for watering your plants is an integral part of gardening. After good soil and sunlight, water is the primary plant requirement that depends on you. Therefore, it is necessary to make arrangements beforehand.

A tank at some height is the best way to store water. The height provides pressure, so the flow of water is steady.

You can be reliant on stored water from rain, or pump water to your storage tanks when there is electricity.

 

How to Best Utilize Stored Water for Watering?

 

Now that you have stored water, we can move to the next step.

The next step is to water the plants such that minimum water is wasted. We will discuss ways that you can use to water a garden without electricity.

 

1. Soaker Hose: An Alternative to Drip Irrigation

 A soaker hose is a perforated pipe or hose. It leaks water slowly to the roots of the pant. All you need is stored water at some height. The height will determine the pressure. You can choose to place the water source high or low as you deem fit.

A soaker hose is also optimal for conserving water. The slow supply of water also ensures that the soil does not get clogged and become clay. It keeps the soil aerated.  

Watering through a soaker hose is one of the best ways to water a garden without electricity. It is the best alternative to drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is expensive. Watering by soaker hose is cheap and equally effective.

You can purchase inexpensive soaker hoses from Amazon (below is the brand Kait uses), or make your own from an old garden hose.

 

 

2. Hand Watering by Watering Can

 

The watering can is one of the best ways to hand-water plants. They have large volumes, so you do not have to refill at short intervals. Refilling can become tiresome and boring.

Hand watering your garden with a watering can also allows you to monitor each plant separately. It is one of the best ways to water a garden without electricity.

Watering cans have perforated openings. They allow controlled watering. Therefore, there is less chance of wasting water.

Make sure you hold the watering can at the ends of the plants near the roots. Watering the leaves and stalks is not needed. It can damage the plants and cause molds.

 

3. Passive Watering

 

Passive watering uses plant waterers to supply water in short supply to a plant’s roots.

 

The common methods are

 

•       Attach a water bottle to a spike or pointer and insert it into the soil near the roots. The water dispenses at a slow rate, trickling water to keep the soil humid and soggy.

 

•       Absorbent string or fabrics used as “wicks” can suck up and transfer water from the bottom of a jug placed near the plant.

 

•       Lastly, hang a bucket high with fitted tubes. The tubes will carry the water slowly to the plants due to gravity.

 

Conclusion

These are some of the best ways to water a garden without electricity. You can modify them to your liking. Happy Gardening!

 

By Shahraz Ali

Shahraz is half American, half Pakistani, and speaks four different languages! He enjoys a good cup of coffee, watching good movies & tv shows, and reading novels. He is a passionate and award-winning writer. We’re thrilled to have him share some of his knowledge on Kait’s Garden!

 

You can find more ideas for setting up a self sufficient homestead here!

 

PS: you can find more tips on plant spacing and gardening without irrigation in Steve Solomon’s Book, Gardening When It Counts. I’ve read it cover to cover and highly recommend it! -Kait