It is hot outside! That means your plants need water.
To keep your lawn and garden healthy in the heat despite watering restrictions and save money, follow these four tips.
- Water less often, but deeply
Less is more when it comes to watering. That is good news if you have strict watering restrictions. Make the most of the times you water by watering deeply. A deep drink of water develops healthy roots, which better survive times of drought. 1-1/2 inches of water every 5-7 days is a good goal.
You can also water more wisely by switching to a drip irrigation system for your garden and trees. Low volume drip irrigation reduces evaporation and runoff and better saturates the beds of flowers, vegetables, and trees.
- Get an irrigation checkup
Irrigation systems are stressed during summer’s heat. To keep your irrigation system humming when you need it and save money on costlier repairs, schedule a checkup for your sprinkler system. A general inspection locates clogged heads, dirty filters and damaged lines which waste water and wreak havoc on your water bill.
Regular irrigation checkups also give you an opportunity to identify misdirected sprinkler heads, make seasonal adjustments that address changing water needs, and ultimately extend the life of your system by flushing destructive lime deposits.
Keep in mind; long overdue repairs are like bandages. The best strategy is to keep your system in top condition, before permanent damage occurs.
- Don’t let it evaporate
Keep your water in your garden by reducing evaporation. Here are a few simple steps:
- Watch the clock and water in the early morning. We suggest you set your timer for 5 a.m.
- Don’t water the pavement. Make sure you are only watering things that grow.
- Keep your grass taller. The additional height provides shade and better retains moisture.
- Pile on the mulch, compost and grass clippings. They suffocate weeds that steal water and create a moisture barrier.
- Reduce demand with a water-wise plan
Beat the heat and watch your water bill drop when you modify your landscape with these water-wise ideas:
- Lose some of your lawn. Grass has a tremendous appetite for water. Smartcaping incorporates native and adaptive plants perfectly suited to this climate. We are not talking about rock gardens, but potentially lush green landscapes. Once established, these plants require little or no watering.
- Create permeable cover with open pavers, river rock or gravel that lets the rain in to the deepest levels of your land where it does the most good.
- Send rain where it is needed by creating berms, swales and rain gardens. They add sculptural interest to your garden design while sending runoff water to the areas that need it.
