Areas that enjoy warm weather during most of the year often find half, or more, of the water piped into homes goes right back out through hoses onto lawns and gardens. Even in northern climates the same thing happens in summer months.
- The basic principle of lawn and garden watering is to not over-water. Don’t follow a fixed schedule. Water when the grass or plants show signs of needing it. During a cool or cloudy spell, you don’t need to water as often.
- Heat and wind will rob your lawn of water before it can use it. Avoid watering on windy days and you’ll avoid having most of the water go where you don’t want it. Water in the cool of the day to avoid excess evaporation and the chance of harming the lawn.
- Weeds are water thieves, too, so keep the garden free of them.
- Let water sink in slowly. Lots of water applied fast mostly runs off into gutters. Also, if you let water sink deep, the lawn will develop deeper roots and won’t need watering as often but will be more resistant to disease and wear.
- Make sure sprinklers cover just the lawn or garden, not sidewalks, driveways, and gutters.
- Keep track of how long you water. A kitchen timer is a handy reminder for turning off sprinklers.
Rain Gardens
- Filter runoff before it enters waterways -Save money and water by channeling stormwater
- Use native, drought tolerant plants
- Rain Garden Brochure
Landscaping to Save Water
— American Water Works Association
