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Save Water Outdoors
With outdoor water use accounting for up to 50% (or more) of our overall water usage during the growing season, being efficient is critical! Following are some tips to save water outdoors:
Saving water in the landscape does NOT require applying rock or gravel to the entire yard and/or planting cactus or yucca! Here are some tips to save water and grow healthier plants in the landscape:
- Install Water Smart Landscaping!
- Group plants according to water use for most efficient watering (i.e. high water use plants should not be grouped with low water use plants).
- Have your soil tested and add organic matter. A healthy soil will result in healthier root systems, which, in turn, create more drought tolerant plants.
- Select plants appropriate for the climate HERE - not Missouri, Oregon, Maine...
- Select plants, that once established, will require little to no supplemental irrigation.
- Select low water use, drought tolerant, and/or native plants if possible.
- Properly apply organic mulch around plants to retain moisture, reduce weed competition, and moderate soil temperatures.
- Avoid the use of inorganic mulch (i.e. rock, gravel, rubber) around plants.
- Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
- After establishment, water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root systems.
- Water turfgrass to a depth of 6-8" only as needed.
- Water flowers (both annuals and perennials) to a depth of 12-18" only as needed.
- Water trees and shrubs to a depth of 12-18" as that is where the bulk of their roots are located.
- Know your plants...do they have shallow root systems or deeper ones? Watering beyond the root zone is a waste of water!
- Only water when absolutely necessary - check the soil to be sure.
- Consider using rain barrels/tanks to collect rainwater and use as needed.
- Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems to water-loving plants in your landscape.
- Use a mulching mower and allow grass clippings to remain on the lawn.
- Don't mow too short! Adjust the height of your mower for your specific turf species. Taller grass blades help to shade the soil and reduce water use.
- Aerate your lawn as needed to relieve compaction and allow water and nutrients to filter down to the roots.
- Weed regularly! Weeds compete for moisture and nutrients.
- Check irrigation systems for leaks regularly.
- Preform a "catch can" test to measure irrigation system performance.
- If considering an irrigation system installation, hire a trained (and hopefully certified) professional.
- Winterize irrigation systems to avoid potential damage and potential water waste.
- Only apply the minimum amount of fertilizer needed. While fertilizers promote plant growth, they also increase water consumption.
- Set an alarm or kitchen timer when using the hose as a reminder to turn it off. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons per minute.
- Limit water loss through evaporation by watering early in the morning when temperatures are cooler and winds can be lighter.
- Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it to avoid runoff. Cycle and soak if need be.
- Consider installing a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller.
- Don't over water! More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
- Use a watering can to water container plantings for more controlled watering vs. dragging a running hose.
- For hanging baskets, planters and pots, put ice cubes on top of the soil to give your plants a cool drink of water without overflow.
Vegetable and fruit gardens need water...they can't be "stressed" like landscape plants sometimes can, so how can you conserve? Consider these tips:
- Prepare the soil for maximum water penetration - add organic matter!
- Plant on a flat surface vs. "hills" or mounds
- Only grow what you know you will use to limit irrigation needs.
- Avoid poor-yield crops for the space/water (i.e. Sweetcorn).
- Avoid poorly adapted crops for our environment (planted at inappropriate times) (i.e. peas planted in June).
- Avoid plants susceptible to severe attacks by insects or diseases and difficult to count on for good food production (i.e. Brussels Sprouts)
- Avoid planting when soil is too cold (seeds won't grow and water won't be properly absorbed).
- Try closer rows - a smaller area, more intensively gardened, may produce more vegetables in relation to water usage. (i.e. place radishes, onions, beets, etc. in rows as close as 1 ft. apart - make better use of the water applied to the root zone.)
- Keep weeds under control!
- Avoid deep tillage or hoeing (use a scuffle hoe).
- Once soil has warmed, use organic mulch like herbicide free grass clippings (~1") or straw (2-4") to conserve moisture, control weeds and keep the soil cooler.
- Limit watering to the root zone of the plant (i.e. use drip irrigation or soaker hoses).
- For crops like squash or cucumbers try burying a can or small bucket with the bottom at root level. Punch holes in the bottom of the can so water can drip into the soil right where it is needed (with minimal loss). Experiment with Ollas!
- Water deeply to encourage deep roots (after the initial establishment period).
- Know your plants...do they have shallow root systems or deeper ones? Only water for what they need - watering beyond the root zone is a waste!
- Water only as needed...check the soil to be sure irrigation is required. Watering every day is NOT a requirement for vegetable gardens!
- Consider using rain barrels/tanks to harvest rainwater and use as needed.
- Don't over water! More plants die from being over watered vs. under watered.
Have a swimming pool, or thinking about installing one? Consider the following tips to keep water waste to a minimum:
- Use a pool cover to prevent water loss through evaporation, help keep your pool clean, and reduce chemical use.
- Don't overfill the pool. Lower water levels will reduce water loss due to splashing.
- Keep water in the pool when playing, it will save water!
- When back-washing the pool, consider using the water on plants in the landscape.
- Eliminate the use of waterfalls and sprays in the pool. Aeration increases evaporation loss.
- Check your pool periodically for leaks. Use a grease pencil to conduct a bucket test...an unnatural water level drop may indicate a leak.
- Equip swimming pools, fountains, and ponds with recirculating pumps.
- Instead of building a private pool, join a community pool.
- Opt for a commercial car wash that recycles water vs. washing your car at home.
- Use a bucket of soapy water to wash vehicles. Only use the hose for that final rinse.
- Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
- Wash your pets outdoors on an area of the lawn that needs water.
- When cleaning out fish tanks or pet water bowls, pour the water around thirsty, non-edible landscape plants.
- Use a broom to clean hard surfaces like driveways and sidewalks vs. a garden hose. NOTE: The use of water to wash down hard surfaces in the City of Hays is prohibited and can be ticketed unless special permit is obtained.
- Report broken pipes, leaky hydrants and errant sprinklers to property owners or to the Department of Water Resources.