With summer now upon us, many of us are spending more time outdoors, enjoying our yards and gardens. It doesn't take long to realize how much water is needed to keep those gardens looking green and healthy.

In our last article, we focused on water-saving ideas for your lawn and gardens. This week, we're covering other areas in your yard where you can conserve water. Here are some tips you can use.

Planting

• Add two to four inches of organic material, such as peat or compost, to the soil. Greater soil depth will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture
• Use a layer of organic material on the surface of your planting beds to minimize the weed growth that competes for water
• Use water-wise plants. Native and adaptive plants typically use less water and are resistant to local plant diseases and pests
• Plant in the fall when the conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful
• If you are installing a new lawn, select a turf mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions
• Consult with your local nursery for information on plant selection and placement for optimum outdoor water savings
• Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips
• The next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low-water-use plant for year-round landscape colour and save more than 2,000 liters each year

Car washing

• Using a running hose to wash your car can waste about 400 liters of water. Instead, try using a bucket with a sponge plus a trigger nozzle on the hose – you'll save about 300 of those liters
• Use a commercial car wash that recycles water
• Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time

Pool

• If you own a pool, be sure to use a pool cover when it's not in use. The cover will cut down on evaporation losses and keep it cleaner and warmer
• Regularly check equipment such as filtration systems and water inlets for signs of leaks
• Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around the pumps
• If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks
• Use a grease pencil to mark the water level of your pool at the skimmer. Check the mark 24 hours later to see if you have a leak
• When backflushing your pool, consider using the water on your landscaping

Rain barrel

• Collect rain water in an old barrel or other large container that is outfitted with a spigot and a suitable cover, and use the water on your garden. Instead of turning on the hose, use this rain water for newly transplanted material, window boxes, flower pots and container gardens. Rain water is actually better for your plants as it does not contain any chlorine and is at ambient temperature
• Keep your rain barrel covered to prevent mosquitoes breeding and for safety reasons

General

• Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home
• Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses
• Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider

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