Save water and protect your landscape
Water at the right time
& Get Smart Technology
The best time to water is in the morning, between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m, to avoid evaporation and allow soils to dry.
If you are not using yet an irrigation controller and/or a rain sensor, it is time to! Smart water controllers measure weather and soil moisture conditions to automatically adjust watering schedules according to landscape conditions. Rain sensors are inexpensive and can be retrofitted to most irrigations systems.
Water deeply, not frequently
Think slow and deep when irrigating lawns and gardens. When water is applied too quickly, much is lost to runoff. Irrigating slowly allows water to soak into the ground. Drip irrigation is excellent for this purpose, but lowering the water flow to sprinklers also works.
Deep irrigation encourages healthier root systems.
Reduce the frequency of watering, allowing soils to dry between watering. Finally, adjust irrigation according to plant age and needs.
Reduce Run-Off
By preventing run-off, gardeners keep water in the landscape, where it can be used by plants. Run-off occurs when water is applied too heavily, either by natural rainfall or irrigation practices. Water flowing over impervious surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks is another common source of run-off from residential landscapes. You can reduce run-off by:
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Aligning sprinkler heads to avoid irrigating roads, sidewalks, and driveways
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Using drip irrigation to irrigate slowly
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Direct downspouts to empty into the landscape rather than the street or other hard surfaces
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Replace concrete walkways and other hard surfaces with pervious paving or mulch to allow water infiltration.