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BE A WATER-SAVER
GARDENER |
Here are some important
water-saving tips for
your garden:
1. Use drought-tolerant
plants in your garden.
Native and adapted
plants generally require
less water once
established or choose
plants that are
well-suited local
conditions. Keep turf
grass to a minimum.
Lawns require the
greatest amount of
water, and automatic
residential irrigation
systems are water-savers
only if they are
programmed and
maintained carefully.
2. Group plants like
plants. Whether
selecting trees, shrubs,
ground covers,
perennials or annuals
for your garden, choose
those that naturally
grow together and
require the same amount
of water.
3. Water plants only when
needed. That means doing
a finger check and
monitoring the health of
the plants. Neither the
clock nor the calendar
is as reliable as your
own observation. Water
late in the evening or
in the early morning
when evaporation will be
less and the wind
calmer. Always check for
runoff and overspray.
4. Improve your soil. Add
organic matter such as
compost to improve the
soil’s moisture
retention. Aerate heavy
or compacted soil around
trees and shrubs.
5. Add mulch — two- to
four-inch layer of mulch
maintains a more
consistent soil
temperature. It keeps
soil cooler on hot days
and warmer on cool days.
Choose organic mulch
that adds texture to
your landscape such as
shredded bark or chips.
Or choose an inorganic
form such as gravel or
rock. These actually
allow more moisture in
and are more likely to
resist formation of soil
fungus and viruses.
6. Trees throughout your
landscape help to lower
air and soil
temperatures as well as
reduce plant and soil
moisture loss.
7. If you are a
container gardener,
arrange containers so
they shade one another.
If you are experiencing
a drought or an extended
period of high winds,
move the pots to a
shaded area. You might
also consider a drip
irrigation line for your
grouping of pots.
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