Water Conservation Tips: Saving Water Outdoors

Only 48% of water piped into homes is used for indoor purposes. The remaining 58% is going right back out through hoses onto lawns and gardens. The basis principle of lawn and garden watering is not to give your lawn and plants more than they need. Water only when the grass or plants show signs of needing it. In addition, you can:

• Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
• Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
• Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
• Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money.
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
• If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
• Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
• Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
• Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be watered. These useful "rooms" can also add value to your property.
• Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
• Rather than following a set watering schedule, check for soil moisture two to three inches below the surface before watering.
• Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.
• Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
• Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the sprinkler heads in good shape.
• Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
• Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
• To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times.
• Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while under watering others.
• Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize weed growth that competes for water.
• Use a minimum amount of organic or slow release fertilizer to promote a healthy and drought tolerant landscape.
• Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air.
• Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly.
• Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
• Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.
• Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
• Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three inches of soil are dry it's time to water.
• If installing a lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.
• When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
• Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with re-circulating pumps.
• Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings.
• Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
• Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
• Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
• Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
• Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
• Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
• Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
• Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
• Catch water in an empty tuna can to measure sprinkler output. One inch of water on one square foot of grass equals two-thirds of a gallon of water

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