As we head outdoors to work in and enjoy our yards and gardens, we become more aware of the growing need to conserve water. Water supplies are not endless and we need to conserve our water so it will be sustained for future generations.  At home, at school and in the community – everyone can play a part.

There are many ways to conserve water outdoors and indoors, throughout the year.  This week we visit water saving ideas for your lawn and gardens.

In the summer, lawn watering and other outdoor uses can account for up to 50 percent of home water use. Studies show that as much as half of this outdoor use is wasteful. As a general rule, one inch of water per week is adequate.  Overwatering can cause yellowing leaves or poor plant health.

Use your yard equipment to your best advantage

• Set sprinklers to water the lawn, not the house, sidewalk and driveway
• Use a rain gauge, or empty tuna can, to track rainfall on your lawn. Then reduce your watering accordingly
• Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining
• Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed
• Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions
• Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements
• Use an automatic shutoff nozzle on the garden hose so water is not wasted when the hose is unattended
• Check your outdoor faucets, sprinklers, hoses or irrigation systems regularly for any leaks, and fix them
• Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped
• With a rain barrel under the downspout, collect water from your roof to water your garden
• Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute
• Make sure your swimming pools, fountains, and ponds are equipped with recirculating pumps
• Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings
• Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface
• Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time

Water more efficiently

• If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times
• Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water
• Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste
• Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance
• Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while under watering others
• Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering
• Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it
• For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to give your plants a cool drink of water and help eliminate water overflow
• Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water

Reduce water lost to evaporation

• Use low-angle or pulsating sprinklers that produce large fat droplets of water rather than a mist or fine spray
• Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler
• Don't water your lawn on windy days
• Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air
• Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation

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