7 Water Saving Tips For Smart Irrigation Month

Smart Irrigation Month is an Irrigation Association initiative to increase awareness for water conservation and increase the use of water saving products, practices and services. Saving water is easy and the process starts with you. Below are simple tips you can start working on today to reduce water use, lower your water bill and improve the beauty of your landscape.

1. Think about your yard – Select plants that have low water requirements and will thrive in your local climate. Think about the unique features of your yard, including sun and shade, dry and damp areas, plant size, and how you plan to utilize each section of your yard.

2. Healthy soil is critical to plant success  Fertilizing your yard or garden replenishes lost nutrients and ensures plants have the food they need to grow and thrive. You don’t work well when you are hungry, and your plants don’t either.

3. Mulch well around plants, bushes and trees – Using 2 to 4 inches of mulch reduces evaporation, moderates soil temperatures and helps control weeds that compete for water and nutrients in your soil.

4. “Hydro-zone” your yard  This is just a big word for growing plants with similar water requirements in the same area of your yard. These areas should be on the same irrigation valve. That way you don’t have to overwater your drought tolerant plants to satisfy your water guzzling plants.

5. Save grass for functional areas  Plant turf only in areas where it will be used and enjoyed. Water your grass with sub surface drip irrigation. Leave steep slopes and other hard to water areas for drought tolerant ground cover or perennial color.

6. Plant shade trees  We have all enjoyed the benefit of standing under a shade tree in the summer. Shade trees reduce overall temperatures and reduce water evaporation from soil. They can also be the highlight of your landscape.

7. Maintain your yard regularly  For many of you it is a pleasure to work in your yard. Landscapes that are well maintained require less water. Your time will be well spent weeding, trimming, and inspecting your irrigation system. For those of you who don’t enjoy the work so much, check out this link from the Irrigation Association to help you find an Irrigation Association certified contractor in your area.

RELATED POSTS

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest

Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Get The Latest Updates

Subscribe To Our Blog and Training Emails

Upcoming Live Trainings

Register for our upcoming live trainings. Get all your questions answered live!

Agriculture

Rooted in Sustainability: Exploring Microorganisms and Regenerative Farming

Join us for an enlightening webinar exploring the world of regenerative agriculture. Delve into soil biology, microorganisms, and regenerative practices with CEO Miles Sorel of Terraforma. Learn about core principles, benefits for growers, and the impact on food quality and sustainability. Gain insights into microorganism applications and their interaction with plant roots. Don’t miss this transformative journey!

Register Now For Free >>
Landscape

Fall Forward: Smart Strategies to Combat Seasonal Water Waste

As summer transitions into autumn, there’s an often-overlooked challenge that demands our attention – the surge in landscape water waste. This irrigation training episode focuses on the unexpected increase in water wastage during the fall season and why most landscapes are being overwatered. Actionable strategies to curb this waste and enhance sustainable water management will be shared.

Register Now For Free >>