Save Water in Your Lawn & Garden Care

Plant drought-resistant trees and shrubs. Many beautiful trees and plants thrive with far less watering than other species. Landscaping plants that are native to the region require less care and water than ornamental varieties.

Limit the watering of lawns and gardens. The watering of lawns and gardens can double normal household water use during the hot, dry summer months. At standard household water pressures, a garden hose will discharge u to 6.5 gallons of water per minute. To apply an inch of water to 1,000 square feet of lawn or garden requires 620 gallons of water. Watering should be limited to gardens and newly planted lawns and landscaped areas. (Established lawns and landscape plantings will usually survive without watering).

Water your lawn only when it needs it. A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, fetch the sprinkler.

Water during the cool parts of the day. Water before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Early morning generally is better than dusk since it helps prevent growth of fungus.

Sprinklers. Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.

Deep soak your lawn. When you water, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems. Do not water on windy days.

Add mulch to slow evaporation. Put a layer of mulch around the trees and plants. Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture and discourage weed growth. For best results, use mulch sparingly as you approach the plant crown or tree trunk. Use soaker hoses and trickle irrigation systems. They reduce the amount of water used for irrigation by 20 to 50 percent.