With much of the country having experienced droughts over the past several summers, it’s smart to practice water conservation. Here are some tips on how to do it.
1. Install a drip irrigation system, especially around your trees, shrubs, flowers and veggie gardens. Drip irrigation systems can use up to 50% less water than sprinklers, delivering water more slowly and directly to the roots of the plant. If you have an irrigation system, make sure that it offers the latest technology that’s efficient in monitoring how much water is used. If using conventional sprinklers, position them so that they don’t water the house, driveway or sidewalks. Also, repair or replace leaking hoses and faucets.
2. Buy a rain gauge and use it. This device keeps track of the amount of rain your landscape is receiving: some gauges even prevent your watering system from operating when a specific amount of rain has fallen.
3. Make use of rainwater. It’s free and is easy to collect. And rain barrels are efficient at collecting rain from your down spouts.
4. Water early in the morning or late at night and when the winds are calm in order to minimize evaporation.
5. Mulch in order to retain water and reduce weeds. Some good organic mulches are: clipped grass, straw, composted leaves and shredded bark. Lay 3-4 inches around plants.
6. Design your landscape carefully. Grass needs more water than most plants, so minimize the amount you use. Make sure that plants with the same needs are grouped together: plants needing the most water should be planted closest to the house and those requiring less water should be planted on the edge of the property. Also, make a point of selecting plants that are native and considered drought resistant (which tend to have deeper roots and are less prone to disease).
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