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Helpful Homeowner Tips
Water Conservation Basics (Sunset Magazine)
- Use water-conserving plants.
Certain kinds of lawn grasses, annuals, roses, and vegetables can get by on less water. The key is to choose plants that are naturally adapted to your region's conditions.
- Group plants wisely.
Place thirsty plants together and drought-resistant plants elsewhere. This allows you to precision-water your garden area. It also makes the best use of automated irrigation systems, which are most efficient when watering plants grouped by water needs.
- Limit turf areas.
A lawn requires more irrigation than almost any other landscape feature. Limit its size to just what you need, and choose a grass that is adapted to your climate. Consider replacing at least part of your lawn with a deck, paving, or alternative plants.
- Irrigate effectively.
Make sure your watering practices and devices are as efficient as possible. Water plants only when needed, not by the clock or calendar. Water at night, when evaporation is much lower and air is generally calmer. Tighten faucets so they don't leak. Avoid runoff and overspray, which waste water. Where possible, use permeable paving such as decomposes granite or flagstone with spaces between; rain water can seep through then to the soil beneath, where its more available to plant roots.
- Improve your soil.
Routinely cultivate your soil, incorporating organic matter such as compost. Doing so improves the soil's ability to resist evaporation and retain moisture. In heavy or compacted soils around trees, you can improve air and water penetration with a heavy-duty drill and screw like auger. Bore 12 to 18 inch holes, 3 to 4 feet apart, into the ground within the trees drip line.
- Mulch.
To reduce weeds, slow erosion, and reduce moisture loss through evaporation, apply a layer of organic matter over soil around plants. Organic mulches such as shredded bark, compost, and aged sawdust are best because they add organic matter to the soil as they break down. A 2 to 4 inch layer, spread beneath the canopy of a plant, is ideal.
- Control weeds.
These garden intruders steal water needed by desirable plants. Regularly hoe or pull them out when they're young, or use landscape fabrics or mulches.
- Keep plants healthy.
If they're robust, they'll be able to withstand dry periods better than plants that are troubled by pests, planted in the wrong locations, or improperly cared for.
- Care for container plants.
Group containers so they shade one another. During droughts or periods of drying winds, place them in the deepest shade they can tolerate. Mix water-holding polymers into potting soil. Be sure to wet the entire root ball (it may take several passes with a hose). Double-pot; set small pots inside larger ones, with a layer of sand or gravel between. Or set pots into the ground up to the rims. And top-dress pots with a layer of cobbles, bark, or rough compost over the soil surface.
 We have SAVED 331,000 gallons of water, or 26% of our previous year's usage to date. That represents a savings of $1,125. Irrigation repairs during this period cost us $555, so our savings represents a return on investment of 203% in this year alone. I would like to thank everyone at Serpico Landscaping for their continuing attention to this important area. They have accomplished this savings by changing spray patterns and altering water periods as well as repairing the system. And the place looks....Green!
Richard Johnson
The Views HOA
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