Spring and Summer Conservation

When mowing your lawn, set the mower blades 2-3 inches high. Longer grass has more leaf surface to take in sunlight, shading the soil to improve moisture retention,  allowing it to grow thicker and develop a deeper root system. This helps grass survive drought, tolerate insect damage, and fend off disease.

Mulch helps soil to retain moisture. This lowers the amount of watering needed in your plant beds. Mulch also insulates the soil, preventing evaporation, protecting your plants' root systems.

Water your lawn in the morning or evening to help prevent the evaporation that occurs when the sun is high. Make sure you're watering your yard, not the sidewalk or driveway. A drip irrigation system is more efficient then a sprinkler, it sends targeted amounts of water exactly where you want it.

Try replacing some of your standard flower garden with beautiful drought-tolerant plants. These store water internally or by developing extensive root systems that sink deep into the soil. The use of drought-tolerant plants will reduce time and money spent on irrigation.

 Choose containers with low water use in mind. Glazed terra cotta containers don’t just look great, they also don’t lose water through the pot sides, thus requiring infrequent watering. 

Rain barrels provide a FREE and sustainable source of water for your garden, can prevent ponding and flooding in your yard, prevents the transportation of pollutants in storm water, and reduces storm water run-off and flooding.