Water Smart Tips for Your Gardens

Follow these simple tips to help us get to the 10% watering decrease:

Use a layer of mulch on the surface of your planting beds to minimize evaporation of moisture and suppress weed growth that competes with water.
Water only when plants look like they need it. Most plants die from over-watering, not under-watering.
Water your plants deeply, but less frequently, to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
Use watering cans, whenever possible, especially when watering just a few patio plants.
Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses for shrubs and trees to reduce evaporation and apply water directly to roots where it's needed.
Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose water conscious plants adapted to your area.
Use a rain barrel or buckets to capture rainwater from your downspouts for use in watering your garden.
Keep plants nourished with plant food so they're better able to survive drought stress.
Choose shrubs and groundcovers for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to water plants.
Re-route gray water (from your clothes washer or dishwasher for example) to outdoor areas to use for irrigation.
For hanging baskets, planters and pots, place ice cubes under the moss or dirt to help eliminate water overflow.
Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry, it's time to water.