Watering Tips

Watering at certain times of the day and with different types of instruments can help you water more efficiently and save money.

Reduce lawn watering

Most homeowners water their lawns too much.
Reduce your total watering by as much as 50% - lawn will be healthier and just as lush and green.
This may mean skipping one lawn watering each week.
Never restart the entire automatic watering cycle to water a dry patch - select the appropriate station and run manually.

Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation

Adjust timers on automatic sprinklers

Most sprinklers are programmed to water too often.
Set your timer to water less frequently, but longer for a deep watering.
This encourages deeper root growth which means stronger, healthier grass.
Water until right before you start to see run off.
If plants show signs of stress such as wilting or yellowing add another watering to your schedule.

Adjust watering as weather changes

Turn off automatic sprinklers during rainy periods.
Use a rain gauge to know how much water your lawn gets each week and adjust sprinklers for supplemental watering if needed.
Adjust timing and frequency of sprinklers seasonally - lawns need less water in cool seasons.

Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation - same as your lawn!

Water between the hours of 6:00 - 10:00 a.m.
This will reduce water lost to evaporation, saving you money and conserving water.
Avoid watering at night which encourages fungus.

Switch from overhead sprinklers to soaker hoses

Soaker hoses conserve water by dripping water right to the roots of the plant.
Snake the soaker hose throughout the garden placing it about a foot away from the base of shrubs.

Add mulch to your garden

Mulch helps insulate the ground and conserves water so you have to water less frequently

Use water wands with a trigger

When watering container gardens, hanging baskets or other small areas use a water wand with a trigger.
Allows you to water only the plants and not the pavement or ground between plants.
Make sure to water each plant thoroughly so water penetrates to the root system.
Aim the trigger at the base of the plant and water the soil, not the foliage (overhead watering can cause fungus).

Give potted plants a little extra help

In hot, dry seasons potted plants can dry out quickly - they may even need daily waterings.
Use a water globe to help keep soil consistently watered.
Add water-absorbing granules in with potting soil to hold water and release it slowly as needed.
Use these products with houseplants, too, to keep indoor planted hydrated when away on vacation.
Add water-absorbing granules in with potting soil to hold water and release it slowly as needed.
Use these products with houseplants, too, to keep indoor planted hydrated when away on vacation.

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