Learn How to Save Water Without Drying Out Your Lawn

Everyone wants a beautiful yard, but are you using too much water to keep your property looking great? It is possible to reduce your water usage as well as your monthly utility bill without turning your lawn into a desert by utilizing a few smart water conservation techniques.

Use compost and mulch.

A lot of the water you use for watering your yard never reaches your plants because it evaporates before soaking into the soil. You can help reduce evaporation by planting in compost and applying plenty of mulch around trees and bushes. The compost helps retain water near your plants’ roots while the mulch reduces the rate of evaporation. Try supersoaking the mulch around your plants early in the morning for the best results.

Avoid using your hose for cleaning.

A garden hose makes it easy to wash away dirt from your driveway, paths, and other hard surfaces. But the bad news is that it wastes a lot of water. Depending on the length and diameter of your hose, you may be using as much as 24 gallons per minute for the convenience. You can save hundreds of gallons a year by switching to a push broom. It may take a little more time, but isn’t saving money and conserving water worth it?

Reuse your household water.

Why use additional water for watering your plants when you can reuse the water that would typically go down the drain in your home? While a complete greywater system is too expensive and complicated for many homeowners to install, there are simpler ways to collect your household water. There are many sources you can consider using:

• The water you use for washing fruits and vegetables.
• Unsalted water you use for boiling vegetables or pasta.
• The wastewater from your aquarium.
• The water in a shower you waste why waiting for it to get hot.

Landscape with native plants.

Planting native species is a great way to reduce the amount of supplemental watering you need to do. These types of plants have developed over time to the natural weather conditions where you live. This means that most years you won’t need to provide any additional water. Not only are native species better suited for your area’s weather, but they are also beneficial to the insects and animals which live where you do. This creates a healthier ecosystem.

Use a drip irrigation system.

These types of systems use perforated tubing which is buried under the soil and allow you to water your plants effectively while minimizing evaporation and wasted water. Drip irrigation systems can reduce your water consumption from between 30 and 50 percent and work for most landscaping situations. Although you can create a DIY drip irrigation system, commercial systems are typically more effective.

Add a water controller system.

Save time, water, and money by installing a water controller system to monitor your drip irrigation system or sprinklers. A water controller system can do more than just automatically turn your water on or off. Advanced systems can take all the guesswork out of when and how much to water your lawn.

Green Acres Landscape in Salem, Oregon can help create the perfect water-saving yard for you by installing the new Pro-HC Controller from Hunter. This Hydrawise-ready unit automatically adjusts the watering schedule based on the weather forecast for your local area. Call 503-339-8066 to learn more or schedule a free estimate.