Visit the following web sites to check your county's watering
restrictions: Outdoor Water Conservation Tips: Mulch trees & shrubbery: keep approximately 4" of mulch in beds. Keep mulch 6" away from the trunks to minimize disease and insect invasions. Plant native plants in your yard. They are much more drought tolerant than imported species. "Xeriscape" your yard. It will look beautiful and be low maintenance; less grass means less water use. Add organic matter to native soils to retain more water. Weed Control: This is absolutely vital during a total outdoor water ban. The weeds are in direct competition for the precious water the plant will receive. Removal of weeds is necessary to ensure the plants receive all benefits from the water available. Avoid using rocks in landscape areas with plants. The rocks hold & radiate heat, decreasing the moisture. Buy or make a rain barrel. Collect air conditioner condensation. Attach a hose to the condensation pipe and direct to a water container. Use this water on outdoor plants and trees. Support projects that will lead to an increased use of reclaimed waste water for irrigation and other uses. Follow local & state water restrictions. Clean the driveway, patio, sidewalks and garage floor with a broom rather than a hose and water. Clean up spills and remove spots as quickly as possible so you won't have to mop the floor or shampoo the carpet as often. Wash windows outdoors with a bucket of soapy water. Rinse quickly with a hose using a high-pressure, low volume, pistol-grip nozzle. Don't panic! Most of our established trees & shrubs, and some of our warm-season turfgrasses can survive extended periods of limited rainfall. Fescue can always be re-seeded in the fall. Don't water on hot, windy afternoons. You'll lose more than half of your water to evaporation. It is best to water in the early morning between 3am & 9am. Improve your soil quality by aerating & adding organic matter. This aides in preventing water runoff & gets the most out of your watering. Water deeply. As the landscape matures, soak the soil 6 to 8 inches deep to encourage deep roots. Don't water again until the plants need it -- once a week or less. Cut back annuals & perennial flowers that wilt. This will reduce the plant top's demand for water & help keep the root systems alive. Lightly pruning shrubs that become severely wilted will also help them conserve moisture and survive the dry period. For other ways to conserve water, check out these resourceful web sites: |
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