Outdoor Watering and Landscape Tips

• Outdoors
  • Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance check-up. For more water efficient cooling, check yours annually.
  • When washing the car, use soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for the final rinse.
  • Use a broom, not a hose, when cleaning your driveway and sidewalks.
  • Insulate your water pipes. You’ll get hot water faster, and avoid wasting water while it heats up.
  • Check for hidden leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you have a leak.
  • If you have a well, check your pump periodically. Listen to hear if the pump kicks on and off while water is not being used. If it does, you have a leak.

• Lawn Maintenance
  
  If you have a lawn, chances are that this is your biggest water use. Typically, at least 50% of water consumed by households is used outdoors.

  • Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered, not the house, sidewalk or street.
  • Don’t water on windy days.
  • Water your lawn every third day in the summer. Always water during the cool time of day to minimize evaporation-early morning or late evening is best.
  • A heavy rain means you don’t have to water at all.
  • For landscaping use native or other low-water use trees, shrubs and plants.
  • Minimize grass areas in your yard-less grass means less water.
  • Using a layer of mulch around plants reduces evaporation and promotes plant growth.
  • When mowing, raise the blades level to its highest level. Close cut grass makes the roots work harder, requiring more water.

• Be Efficient

  1. Plan and design your landscaping area – evaluate your site and inventory existing plants.
  2. Evaluate your turf area – identify drainage problems.
  3. Use efficient irrigation methods – make appropriate seasonal adjustments. Remember not to water on windy days, and water only during the cool times of the day.
  4. Use soil amendments – This allows for better water absorption and holding capacity.
  5. Use mulches – mulches include rock, decomposed granite and wood chips.
  6. Incorporate low-water use plants – Consider using wildflower seeds.
  7. Appropriate maintenance – This includes proper pruning, weeding, fertilization and irrigation system adjustments.

• Hints for Trees
  
  For established low water use trees, the watering is based upon 2 gallon per hour emitters, 6-10 emitters per tree. Duration of watering time is 3 to 5 hours under the canopy line, subject to soil conditions.

  • During the winter months, water once per month if no supplemental rain is received.
  • During the spring and fall months, water twice per month.
  • For the summer months, water once per week depending on temperatures.

• Hints for Shrubs and Groundcover
  
  Watering is based upon 2 gallon per hour emitters, 1 to 2 emitters per plant, for 2 to 3 hours.

  • During winter months, water once to twice per month.
  • During spring and fall months, water once per week.
  • For the summer months, water once to two times per week depending on temperatures.

• Hints for Turf
  
  The following information is based on watering established turf for a duration of approximately 30 minutes.

  • During the winter months, water dormant turf once per month if no supplemental rain is received.
  • Established winter rye-water once to twice per week.
  • During the spring and fall months, water twice per week.
  • For the summer months, water three times per week depending on temperatures.

• Hints For Planting Wildflowers

  • Spring bloomers are best planted in the fall, and plant summer bloomers prior to the monsoon season.
  • Choose a sunny site.
  • Loosen the soil surface with a rake or a trowel.
  • Mix wildflower seeds with soil, sand or mulch.
  • Distribute seed mix evenly over the planting site.
  • Keep seeds moist for a few weeks to facilitate seed germination.
  • Once seedlings are established, occasional irrigation will help promote successful flowering.