Summer Water Saving Tips for Your Lawn and Garden

Posted on Jun 13, 2012 in Water Conservation by Matthew Speer 0 Comments

As you gaze upon the perfectly manicured lawns where the local kids play football, have you ever wondered how much of our precious freshwater is being wasted keeping that yard green? No, we are not attacking those with a green thumb and great yards, though we may be a bit jealous; instead we want to help raise awareness of how to save water during the hot summer months. An average summer can bring households to use up to 100 percent more water than in other months, much of it going towards irrigating lawns.

Top Summer Water Conservation Tips for Your Family

With less than 1 percent of the planet’s water usable for human consumption, conservation is not really optional; it is up to each family to do their part. Establishing a water conservation plan does not mean you have to give up having a fantastic lawn and garden or stop using your sprinklers – it just means doing it smarter. We have compiled a list of water saving tips that can help you save some green and go green at the same time.

Water Saving Lawn and Garden Tips

Irrigate at night: Watering your lawn at night or during the early morning hours can reduce evaporation up to 30 percent or more, depending on your location.
Avoid High Wind Watering: High winds can evaporate water or blow it away from the target zone; this causes wastewater and lowers your sprinkler’s efficiency.
Don’t Overwater Your Lawn: Your yard only needs about an inch of water per week to stay healthy, established gardens require a little less. Watering infrequently but deeply will inhibit a deep root growth, keeping your lawn viable for years to come. Over watering has been linked to pesticide and fertilizers being introduced into streams and rivers so avoidance is the best practice all around.
Consider Xeriscaping: The main goal of xeriscaping is to design a garden with plants that thrive in the local climate and care is taken to avoid water loss due to evaporation and runoff. Learn more about xeriscaping here.
Use Rain Barrels: Capture the naturally occurring rain and store it for use in your garden or yard. Many systems can be hooked right up to your sprinklers using solar or traditional powered pumps.
Don’t Water the Street: Thousands of gallons of water are wasted each day in neighborhoods and homes that have improperly setup sprinkler heads. The street and sidewalk don’t need watering, take special care to make sure your sprinkler heads and hoses put the water where it is really needed.

Scientists and economists have predicted that access to freshwater will become a primary concern in the coming years. This will cause prices to increase, supplies to run thin and with that a much needed appreciation of this valuable resource will finally be had. Take the time to do your part to help conserve water and keep the planet healthy for generations to come.