News Flash

Water Utilities

Posted on: October 27, 2020

Outdoor Efficiency

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.