Water Efficiently
The greatest waste of water is too much, too often. Whether you are a hose-dragger or have an automatic sprinkler system, you can conserve water by following a few simple steps. Water early in the morning. Waterless frequently and about one inch per week. Adjust sprinkler timers to the weather. And, avoid watering hard surfaces like sidewalks and driveways that don’t need watering. If you have an automatic irrigation system it is also important to look it over at the beginning of the irrigation season to make sure it is working properly. This spring checklist is a good place to start. Overwatering causes 75% of turf problems!
Signs of Over Watering Your Lawn
- Soil is constantly damp
- Leaves turn a lighter shade of green or yellow
- Young shoots are wilted
- Moss and mushrooms are growing
Smart Sprinkling Tips
- Water in shifts! Prevent run-off by splitting your watering times into two or more applications with breaks in between. This watering practice promotes deeper root growth, fostering a healthier landscape that is more resistant to dry weather.
- Be an early bird irrigator! Early morning watering gets more water to the roots, instead of losing it to evaporation. It also washes bacteria and fungus spores off plants. As the day warms, plants dry off quickly, preventing plant diseases and promoting a healthier lawn and garden.
- Soak or drip. Consider using soaker hoses or drip irrigation. These apply water directly to the plant roots, reducing waste from evaporation or run-off.
- Sense the rain. When it rains, use the manual override or install a rain sensor that automatically turns off your irrigation system when it starts raining.
Conservation Rebates
Conservation Tools
Indoor Conservation
Outdoor Conservation