10 Easy Ways to Make Your Landscape More Water Efficient

There are number of ways to reduce water usage on your property. Often, the perception is that you have to make a large, upfront investment for a water management program to pay off. However, there are a number of small changes you can make to your daily and weekly maintenance program that will make an immediate impact on your water consumption. Here are some easy changes you can make today:

1. Water early in the morning, right before dawn. It reduces losses to wind and evaporation.
2. Water only when needed.
3. Adjust sprinklers to avoid waste and ensure uniform distribution.
4. Test the spray patterns of sprinkler systems. Check for clogged lines and mixed nozzle sizes of sprinkler heads and be sure to repair leaks.
5. Use drip irrigation for ornamental shrubs to reduce water usage.
6. Install rain shut-off devices or in-ground moisture sensors.
7. Set lawn mower blades higher to increase ground shade and water retention in the soil.
8. Mulch around shrubs and planters to reduce evaporation and cut down on weeds.
9. Use a broom rather than a hose to clean driveways or sidewalks.
10. Use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.