27 Tips For Conserving Water in Your Yard

• Water as infrequently as possible
• Develop Yard and Garden into a sustainable, green and eco friendly environment. 

I Just Gotta Tell Ya

• Overwatering can damage a lawn- roots don’t need to go deeper. 
• A sprinkler hose can use as much water in an hour than a family uses in a day. 

19 Tips for Greening and Conserving Water in Your Yard 

1. If you  can- get a rainbarrel- 

Algreen 81002 Agua Rain Water Collection and Storage System, 50 Gallons

2. Leave Grass cuttings on the lawn to feed the soil- less work for you and better for the soil.
3. Mow less-  Longer grass (2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches, depending on the grass variety) stays greener than a close-mown lawn, is less likely to scorch, and needs less watering.
4. Use Native Grasses- they grow better in local climates. 
5. Don’t worry about the brown patches 
6. Put in an irrigation system that adjusts water according to conditions or Install a Drip System such as this starter kit Raindrip Automatic Drip Watering Kit #R559DP Drip Systems use 70% less water than an sprinkler system. 
7. Check all sprinklers weekly to make sure they are watering the lawn- not the street.  
8. Install Low Flow Sprinklers- Available from Raindrip Low-Flow Sprinkler Kit #R547DP
9. Fertiize with Compost- no need to buy Fertilizer- saving you money and the environment. 
10. Keep from fertilizing your lawn during the summer. Fast growing grass requires more water.
11. Mulch around all shrubs, trees, and flowers. This will keep the soil cooler and minimize evaporation
12. Reuse all water in house for the yard
13. Water less but deeper. Watering only when your grass really needs it encourages the roots to grow deeper
14. Use a screwdriver as a soil probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, don’t water. Proper lawn watering can save thousands of gallons of water annually.
15. Consider increasing the shade in your yard by planting new trees and mulching those too. You can consider if it’s time to put up a fence, add a garden structure, or throw in a canopy.
16. Water early in the morning (before 8am) and after 8 pm) 
17. Avoid runoff: Allowing water to run off your lawn and in to the driveway or street, it isn’t doing your grass any good. If water starts to run off your lawn before you’ve been able to give it a good, deep watering, turn off the water for 15 or 20 minutes to let the soil absorb the water, and then continue watering as needed; rotating a sprinkler from one area to another will also do the trick.
18. Water different areas with different amounts: You don’t need to water cactus and other native plants as often.  If part of your lawn is shrouded by shade trees, it’ll require less water than a south-facing slope that gets lots of solar exposure, so pay attention to how the sun and other features like trees affect your lawn, and adjust your watering patterns accordingly.
19. Group plants with the same watering needs together to get the most out of your watering time.
20. Aerating the soil allows oxygen to penetrate and restores proper drainage. Most lawns should be aerated at least twice a year, once early in the spring and once in the fall. Punch holes in your lawn about six inches apart so water will reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
21. Killing fast growing weeds early will help you to conserve water They can require more water or even rob your plants and grass of water requiring you to water more often.
22. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveway and sidewalks- Save about 80 Gallons of Water every time. 
23. Use the sprinkler for larger areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
24. Reduce the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs, and ground cover with rock and granite mulching.
25. Don’t water your lawn on windy days. After all, sidewalks and driveways don’t need water.
26. When watering grass on steep slopes, use a soaker hose to prevent wasteful runoff
27. Wash your car on the grass. This will water your lawn at the same time. – Although it is better to take your car to a car wash who reuse water. 

Recommended Books

The Urban/Suburban Composter: The Complete Guide to Backyard, Balcony, and Apartment Composting