Efficient Watering Approaches
With dry weather and drought conditions covering 80 percent of the contiguous United States, now is a great time to analyze water use in your yard. Every day in the U.S., more than 7 billion gallons of drinking water is used to irrigate landscapes, at least half of which may be wasted.
Viewer Tip: Reduce water waste with an in-ground hose system that reaches plant roots and prevents evaporation. You can buy soaker hoses and weave them in and out of your plant beds several inches below the surface. Drip irrigation has solid hoses you add holes to, permitting more precise control. For instance, your shrubs along a fence may need regular watering, but not drought-tolerant native plants nearby. If you must use above-ground sprinklers, angle them to avoid sidewalks and other paved surfaces.
Remember to always follow any watering restrictions that are in place in your community.
This information is provided by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Learn more at www.wildflower.org.
