Water Conservation: Outside Your Home

There are many ways that you can reduce the amount of water you use outside and yet still keep your lawn and garden plants green during a hot summer. Here are a few tips:

Use a Drip Hose
Sprinklers may be a fun makeshift water park for the kids, but the amount of water loss is both expensive and damaging for the environment. Choose drip hoses to irrigate your gardens. Drip hoses work by allowing water to slowly seep out of small holes that target the roots of the plants - where they actually need the water - as opposed to the leaves, flowers, sidewalk, and all passing cars on the street.

Catch the Rain
If you have a back yard, or even a roof, put out containers to catch rainwater. Then use the water to give your plants a drink whenever needed. Use any type of containers, both large and small, or get a rain barrel. These barrels are equipped with special screens so that leaves and other debris can’t get inside, and so that mosquitoes are unable to lay eggs in the water reservoir. Many are equipped with special spigots where hoses or small faucets can attach.

The Right Time to Water
Water your outdoor plants and gardens in the late afternoon or early morning so that water doesn’t evaporate in the heat of the sun. Some advocate early morning watering only, primarily because watering in the evening can promote the growth of molds, fungus and plant diseases during evening hours.

Watering Etiquette
Be sure that your sprinkler is set to water only the grass or garden, not the sidewalk, street or driveway. Not only is this water wasted, it may also carry excess fertilizers or pesticides out to the storm drain in the street, and eventually on down to our rivers.

Remember, unless you happen to have a water well that provides water for outside use, the water that comes from an outside faucet and flows through a water hose is treated drinking water. This water is metered and included in your monthly water usage.

Finally, reconsider what type of grass, trees, bushes and flowers you plant. Native plants (found in your area) require less water than others, and are able to survive during both the hot summer and cold winter months.