Hey everyone! I'm hoping to get some opinions here. I've noticed an increase of about $100 on my water bill since I started my summer garden. I live in North Louisiana, where it gets super hot, and I've got 11 tomato plants, 3 watermelons, around 6 cantaloupes, and a few pumpkins that I water every day.
I'm starting to wonder if this jump in my bill is mainly due to my little garden or if it's linked to my neighbor, who just moved back in and has been using our electricity without permission. I haven't seen him using any water, but I'm a bit worried. Any thoughts or experiences you can share would be really appreciated!
3 Answers
I feel for you! I had a similar situation where my water bill skyrocketed last summer due to my extensive garden. I was paying around $300 a month during the worst of it. Your garden doesn't sound too big, but watering every day really adds up, especially in hot weather. Plus, it’s easy to miss how much usage can shoot up if you’re not keeping an eye on it. You might want to think about ways to conserve, like adding mulch to retain moisture!
I think your water bill is definitely affected by your daily watering routine. I usually only water my garden once a week and hardly notice any changes in my bill. Since you're watering daily, that could add up quick. Have you talked to your neighbor about the situation? It might be worth looking into that if you suspect he’s using water without permission, especially since you’re already concerned about it.
Yeah, daily watering can make a huge difference! Maybe try to keep an eye on things and see if there’s any sign of unexpected usage.
In my experience, a small garden can indeed lead to an increase in your water bill, especially if you're in a dry area. If you're filling your garden with water every day, that can definitely ramp up your costs. For me, my bill went up about $50 during the peak gardening season, but I also have an automatic system watering my larger yard, so it’s tough to tell how much of that is just for veggies. I'd suggest checking your water meter, as some can help track overnight usage which might give you more clues!
Totally agree with the mulch suggestion; it really does help! Keep an eye on that meter so you can see how your usage changes.