Top tips for a water-wise yard

Did you know that a household can use more than 50 gallons a day on watering yards and gardens? Even with the recent winter storms, our snow pack is still far from what it should be. That means we need to be thinking ahead.

There are several easy ways to reduce your outdoor water use and create a water-wise lawn. Not only will you be conserving and protecting water, but a water-wise lawn often means less cost and maintenance for you! Check out these tips to get started.

Do your research
If you’re just starting your yard or you are planning on making some major changes soon, doing some prior research can help you out immensely. Check out the EPA’s Water Budget Tool, which uses data from your local area to help you plan a water-efficient landscape.

Water at the right time
Watering your lawn or garden in the heat of the day means much of that precious water will be lost to evaporation. As a rule of thumb, choose not to water your yard between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Create “hydrozones”
Hydrozoning is the practice of clustering together plants with similar water needs. You can avoid overwatering or underwatering plants and grasses by customizing the needs of each zone. If you’re not sure what the water needs of a certain plant are, a simple Google search should be able to help you out.

Tune up your sprinklers
A sprinkler that leaks or doesn’t dispense water correctly can be a major problem. Check your sprinkler heads for cracks or other signs of wear. Also, make sure your sprinklers are spraying where the water is needed, and avoid having sprinklers spray onto the roads or sidewalks.

Fertilize less
Fertilizers encourage major growth in your yard and garden, which can dramatically increase your water needs. Additionally, fertilizer can end up in runoff water and damage our natural resources. Use less fertilizer if possible, or consider switching to a natural product.

These simple tips can do wonders for the environment (and your wallet!). Try them out today!