6 Easy Ways to Save Water in Your Yard and Garden

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), outdoor water use makes up for up to 30 percent of the total water use of a single household. It can even rise up to as much as 60 percent of the total household water consumption in certain dry regions. With water bills rising and the amount of water wastage every household faces, it’s safe to say that certain effort should be done to save water as much as possible.

If you have been wasting so much water on your lawn or garden, here are six foolproof tips you can try to save water in your yard or garden.

1. Go for Drought-Tolerant Plants

If you’re planning on landscaping your lawn, consider planting native and nonnative plants that are tolerant to drought. Unlike others, these plants can naturally survive in areas that are parched and dry, such as in the southwestern part of the United States. Whether it’s aloe, geranium, or fountain grass, these types of plants can add a lush aesthetic to the lawn without needing too much water and maintenance. Check with your local botanical garden to know what would be a good choice for your home.

2. Create a Rain Garden

A rain garden is a great addition to your yard if you’re looking to lower outdoor water usage. A rain garden is a landscape depression that collects runoff. Surrounded by plants, a rain garden works by allowing the collected water to slowly seep back into the landscape within twenty-four to thirty-six hours. Your local nursery can best suggest which plants should work well when flooded with water for short periods.

3. Check for Leaks

If you’re not hiring a landscaping agency to maintain your lawn, make sure to check the hoses, faucets, and emitters for any leaks every week.

According to the EPA, more than six thousand gallons of water per year is wasted in just a single 1/32″ diameter leak in the water hose or outdoor faucet. How much more will it cost you if there were multiple leaks? The downside of outdoor leaks is that they often go for long periods unnoticed and, therefore, will cause your water bill to skyrocket.

4. Water Slopes Wisely

Put your irrigation systems to good use, especially on sloping sites. Set sprinklers to run more often but in shorter cycles. This helps the ground have enough time to absorb all the water and reduce runoff.

To reduce water usage even more, install a rain-shutoff device on your irrigation system. This will automatically shut off the sprinklers once a specified amount of rain has fallen. This way, you can avoid accidental overwatering as well as lower the water bill significantly.

5. Install Rain Barrels

One of the easiest ways to save water in your yard is to recycle rainfall through rain barrels. Unlike groundwater or city-water sources, rainwater is free of salts and chemicals, which makes it good for the plants.

These water-saving containers are easy to set up. To make good use of harvested rainwater, seek the help of a landscape irrigation expert to help you with how best to integrate collected water with your current irrigation system.

6. Make Your Own Compost

Making your own compost helps the environment in so many ways. It gets rid of waste properly, makes a healthy additive to the soil, and helps improve drainage in clay and retain water in sandy soil. Once you learn the basics of compost making, you’ll be amazed at its various benefits and uses.

With these simple yet highly effective tips to save water in your yard or garden, it won’t be long until you see a significant change in your lawn and your utility bills. Get landscape experts if you prefer a more hands-off approach. Westchester nursery can certainly help you out with this. The environment will thank you for it!