Here are some tips on how to use water wisely in your yard.

Water Wise

In California, the largest use of urban water is watering landscapes. When a landscape or irrigation system is poorly designed or poorly maintained, or the landscape consists of plants not suited to the dry and often hot California climate, water demand increases as a result of excessive evaporation, leaks, and runoff. Water consumption can be greatly reduced with careful planning, good plant selection, efficient irrigation systems, and good water management and maintenance practices.

Since California experiences frequent and sometimes prolonged droughts together with an ever increasing demand, there is a great need for us to use water efficiently. But this doesn’t mean we have to give up our gardens. We can use water more efficiently and still have colorful, esthetically pleasing landscapes—including grass areas for recreation. Consider some of the following tips for conserving water in your own landscape.

• Feed your lawn and flowerbeds with compost, or humus, to reduce the amount of water they need to thrive.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk or street.
• Minimize evaporation by watering during the early morning hours.
• Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.
• Install drought tolerant plants.
• Water dry spots by hand instead of running the whole system longer.
• Use drip irrigation for flowerbeds and trees whenever possible.
• For hanging baskets, planters and pots, put ice cubes on top of the soil to give your plants a cold drink of water without overflow.
• Pruning properly can help your plants use water more efficiently
• Use a pool cover to help keep your pool clean, reduce chemical use and prevent water loss through evaporation.
• Periodically turn off your float system to your pool, or pond, to check for leaks.
• Use a broom, or blower, instead of a water hose.