Conserve Water Outdoors

  • Mulch planting beds with newspaper, leaves, bark, or wood chips. Mulches retain soil moisture and improve soil quality.
  • Water your plantings with a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system. Less water evaporates this way than with a sprinkler, and you target your watering.
  • Use a timing device with any watering system. We are an arid climate so watering with a timer between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is best.
  • Use "wasted" water for your plants. Use water from your fish tank when you clean it in the garden because it contains great nutrients. Empty dehumidifiers in the garden.
  • Get a squeeze nozzle for your hose. That way you only use water when you need it.
  • If you have a swimming pool, keep it covered when not in use.
  • Sweep sidewalks with a broom, not a stream of water.
  • Group plants according to water needs so you can water with the least amount appropriate.
  • Plant native plants that don't require extra watering.
  • Use drip irrigation and water only during the coolest part of the day such as during the hours of 10 pm and 6 am.
  • When washing your car, use a bucket and sponge rather than letting the hose run.
  • Buy or make a rain gauge to see how much water garden is getting so you don't over-water.
  • If you have timed irrigation, adjust it according to the season and the weather.
  • Reduce the size of your lawn which is a water guzzler.
  • When mowing your lawn, set the blades a little higher (at least three inches) and your lawn will require less watering.
  • Test to see if your garden needs watering by putting a screwdriver into the soil. If it goes in easily, you don't need to water.
  • Weed your garden because weeds take the water away from your other plants.