8 Ways to Save Water (Without Killing Your Yard)
Want to avoid a high water bill this year? Avoid using up all your water to protect your lawn and grass by finding easy and conservative ways to save water. The high temperatures of the summer can truly decimate your lawn, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Keep water bills in control by using a few of the following water-saving tactics.
Sign up for the newsletter for more lawn and garden tips.
1. Landscape Appropriately
Keep and maintain well-established plants. Older plants can adapt to less water. If you add new vegetation, purchase climate-appropriate seeds and native plant species. Research and purchase native plants for your yard. This way, you can avoid trying to adapt a new plant to your climate. Native plants have adapted to the regional climate and soil, and are typically more disease and pest-resistant.
2. Pick Grass Carefully
Only plant grass in areas where it’s useful, such as play areas. Buy grass varieties that can survive during a drought. These variants include bermudagrass, which is resilient and recovers swiftly from droughts. Or even buffalograss, known for its soft lawn while still thriving with very little water.
3. Nix Grass Altogether
Plant trees, other vegetation, a living lawn, or shrubs instead of grass. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency:
“Trees, shrubs, or other leafy plants help absorb, intercept, and slow down rainfall, thereby reducing runoff. After a rainfall, large quantities of water are retained on the surface of leaves in the form of droplets. Subsequently, plants help control stormwater runoff. Plants also absorb carbon dioxide (a principal greenhouse gas), and they help cool the earth’s surface; both functions help to reduce global warming.”
Also, less grass means less mowing, which cuts down on the use of other resources, such as gas, electricity, etc.
4. Water Smart
Water your lawn or garden with a hose rather than installing an irrigation system. The EPA reports that homeowners who water manually use almost 33 percent less water outside than homeowners who use automatic irrigation systems.
5. Soak It Up
Buy a soaker hose. The soaker hose allows water to slowly seep out of small holes near plants’ roots. Keep water loss less by setting the soaker hose to a timer. Water in the morning or evening (the coolest times of day), and avoid over-watering your garden, producing excessive water runoff and evaporation.
6. Mulch
Place mulch around plants to help keep moisture near plants’ roots. This is due to mulch acting as a protective layer, which then reduces evaporation from the soil. What’s even better is that organic mulch decomposes over time, enriching the soil with organic matter and even improving its texture.
7. Raise It Up
Plant a raised vegetable garden where plants grow close together. The less area for water, the better. Just make sure your plants’ roots have room to thrive.
8. Reuse Water
Collect rainwater in rain barrels, cans, glasses, and containers. Also: save water you don’t drink, or would normally discard (think cooking water, shower water, etc.
Read More on Organic Authority
The Secret Truth About Lawns That Only Environmental Horticulturists Know
Eat Your Lawn – Yes, Literally – Make Your Lawn an Edible Garden
How to Green Your Lawn: 4 Natural Grass Alternatives
