Gardening with Less Water by David A. Bainbridge

I give this book 10 out of 10 acorns. I don't remember how I found it; I think I was simply browsing the gardening shelves at the public library. As I flipped through the pages I thought, "wow, I gotta get this book!"

The subtitle says it all, "low-tech, low-cost techniques, use up to 90% less water in your garden." I live in an area where we have plenty of rainfall, but we also have long hot dry spells every summer lasting for weeks or sometimes months. I have 2100 gallons-worth of rain collection tanks, but sometimes even that isn't enough. I truly need inexpensive and uncomplicated ways to conserve water, and this book has all kinds of ideas.

The book is divided into two sections. Part 1 is entitled "Super-Efficient Irrigation Systems." The beauty of these systems is that they are all very low tech. That appeals to me because my experience is that the higher tech a system is, the more maintenance it requires, and possibilities of break-downs and repairs increase. The ideas in this book include things like: buried clay pots, double clay pots, self-filling pot systems, porous capsules, deep pipes, wicks, porous hose, buried clay pipe, and tree shelters (aka grow tubes). Materials for any of these are inexpensive and readily available.

Part 2 is entitled "Taking It to the Next Level." Chapters include Water-Wise Gardening Tips, Rainwater Harvesting, Landscaping for Water Catchment, and Developing a Plan for Your Patio, Garden, Home, or Farm. Lots of ideas in these chapters for analyzing, planning, and tying the various systems together. The last chapter, "Our Water Future," offers ideas for taking action on all levels: home, community, state, and worldwide.

Lots of excellent photos and pictures help explain the systems and how to assemble them. The Appendix gives a chart of stopper sizes for clay pot holes, plus conversion charts for metric and volume. A list of suppliers will aid those who have trouble sourcing some items locally.