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Garden
and Landscaping Water Conservation Tips and Rain Barrel Information
Massacusetts Water Resources Authority
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vegetables and flowers need just one inch of water a week. If there has been an inch of rainfall during the week, you don't need to water at all. How can you tell if your yard has received an inch of water? Collect rainfall or sprinkler water in a container such as a coffee can, then measure with a ruler. Inexpensive gauges are available at most garden centers.
Summer is an especially important time to save water. Outdoor water use increases residential consumption from 10% to 50% in June, July, August and September. These tips will show you ways to use water more efficiently outdoors, save money -- and help lower garden maintenance, too!
Go to Water Conservation and Efficiency Main Page
TIMING IS CRITICAL!
Watering your lawn mid-day will result in a high rate of evaporation and sunburned
grass. Roots can maintain plenty of moisture even after several days without
rain. Before watering, look for signs that it's needed: patchy areas,
a general change in color or footprints that remain in the grass long
after being made.
Frequent light watering can actually weaken your lawn by encouraging shallow
roots that are less tolerant of dry periods and more susceptible to insect
damage. Wet grass can also burn in the hot sun and is vulnerable to disease
from mildew and fungus. Test your soil for dryness by digging your finger below the surface of
the soil. Water only when the soil is dry to a depth of 1 1/2 inches.
When watering, check to see that water soaks down 3-4 inches. This encourages
deep root growth.
GIVE YOUR LAWN A REST
If your lawn "fades" in the summer, don't panic. Grass becomes naturally dormant during hot, dry periods. It will revive quickly after a good rainfall or when the weather turns cooler.
- One inch of water a week (rain plus supplemental watering) should be plenty. After heavy rains, you may not need to water for 10-14 days.
- Water very early in the morning.
- Never water when it's windy, rainy or very hot.
- Raise the blade level of your mower to 2 -3 inches or more. Longer grass retains more moisture because it shades the roots. It encourages deeper rooting, requires less fertilizer and competes better against weeds.
- Never water faster than the soil can absorb it. Avoid puddling and run-off.
- Be sure your hose has a shut-off nozzle. Hoses without a nozzle can spout 10 gallons or more per minute.
- If you have an automatic sprinkler system, make sure the timer or "controller" is set to water each landscape zone efficiently. Program the controller to operate according to the watering needs of your lawn or garden. Better still, install a rain sensor or soil moisture sensor that turns the system off if it’s raining or if moisture is present in the soil.
- Do not apply fertilizer in the summer - new growth requires more water. Apply in early spring and or fall.
- Aerate your soil in April, September or October to aid water absorption and retention.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER
Determine the best sprinkler system to fit your lawn size and configuration. Install good quality sprinkler heads that provide a low precipitation rate and keep them in good repair. Check the sprinkler heads frequently for proper direction and even spray pattern. Studies have shown that automatic sprinkler systems often use 20% - 30% more water than hand-held hose watering. Applying the right amount of water is possible with a well-designed in-ground sprinkler system but it requires careful management. Use the "controller" to manage efficient operation of the system. Here are a few important features to look for:
- At least three independent programs to allow watering different parts of the yard on different days.
- Station run times from one to 200 minutes
- Three start times per program
- Odd, even, weekly and interval program capability up to 30 days
- Rain shut-off device capability
Effective watering will result in a healthy lawn that looks great and can withstand disease as well as seasonal and environmental stress. For more information, check out the following web sites:
PREPARE NEW LAWNS PROPERLY
Many new
lawns require more water than they should because they are seeded on improperly
prepared soil beds. Grass needs at least 3-6 inches of very good topsoil.
Rich loam mixed with plenty of peat moss or composted leaves will hold moisture
and allow for good, deep root development. The kind of grass you grow is
a factor to consider. Lawns planted with fescue grasses do better than bluegrasses
during periods of low rainfall and are slower to go dormant.
LANDSCAPE, GARDEN AND FLOWER CARE
The amount of water you use outdoors (and can save) depends on your watering technique as well as the size, type and location of your lawn, shrubs and gardens. Below are some helpful links:
gardenforever.com - Tips for people of all ages, abilities and lifestyles
Standards for Organic Land Care: Practices for the Design and Maintenance of Ecological Landscapces (PDF), via Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). Updated January, 2011.
How to Build a Rain Garden and Gardens that Save Waterways, via This Old House magazine.
PLAN AND DESIGN YOUR GARDEN FOR EFFICIENT WATERING
Be aware of the various zones in your yard (hot/sunny, cool/shady, moist, dry, etc.) and plan your gardens and plantings accordingly. For example, if your have a hot, dry zone, carefully select plants that can endure hot, dry conditions.
CLUSTER PLANTS THAT NEED EXTRA CARE
If you choose shrubs, flowers or vegetables that need lots of sun and moisture, place them near each other. You'll save time and water by watering
just one area of your yard.
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USE LOW-WATER PLANTS
There are many varieties of low water use plants that can withstand dry
summers, and actually thrive in drier soil. Here are a few of them: 32 Low-Water
Plants
Remember: All newly planted trees, shrubs
and flowers intially need water to get established. But once established,
drought tolerant plantings can survive without supplemental watering.
One excellent resource for gardeners is the Massachusetts Horticultural
Society
www.masshort.org
MULCH TO KEEP ROOTS MOIST
Mulch can serve as a ground cover that reduces water evaporation from the soil and reduces the number of weeds that would otherwise compete with the plant for available soil moisture.
Mulch flowers, shrub beds and trees with pine bark mulch. In your vegetable beds, use salt marsh hay, newspaper (no color pages), black plastic, or better yet, landscape fabric - that allows water to penetrate the fabric but keeps down weed growth. On a sweltering 100° day, a 3-inch mulch can keep the soil underneath up to 25° cooler! Avoid white marble chips that can damage acid-loving plants like rhododendrons. Stones or pebbles are good on shady areas. They shouldn’t be used near the house because they give off too much heat. Ground covers, such as ivy or pachysandra, also prevent evaporation around established shrubs and ornamental trees.
ORGANIC MATTER WILL HELP YOUR SOIL RETAIN MORE MOISTURE
Peat moss, composted leaves (leaf mold), composted manure, composted kitchen vegetable scraps and grass clippings will all improve soil structure and enhance moisture-retaining capabilities.
Incorporate organic matter into your flower and vegetable beds, preferably 12"-18" deep.
DRIP IRRIGATION AND SOAKER HOSES – THE BEST WAYS TO WATER
- Unfortunately, much of the water dispersed through sprinklers and hoses by enthusiastic gardeners evaporates before it ever reaches its intended source - thirsty roots.
- Use a drip irrigation system or soaker hose in gardens that need the most water ("moisture-zoned" gardens) - vegetables, fruits, newly planted trees and shrubs, and some flower gardens.
- Once a secret of professional gardeners, drip irrigation is excellent for home use. This highly efficient watering method consists of a system of nozzles that deliver small quantities of water at low pressure directly to where it does the most good - the root zones of plants.
- Drip (or trickle) irrigation can save 30%-70% of the water used by overhead sprinkler systems.
- A soaker hose is a canvas or rubber hose with perforations. It is most effective when it lies on top or slightly below soil level and mulch is placed over the soil and hose. You can install the hose in the spring and leave it in place all season.
- In general, use the drip (or trickle) irrigation or soaker hose methods until the soil is moist 3-4 inches below the surface.
- If your garden is small, use a hose to apply water very slowly at the base of each plant - not on leaves and foliage.
- Saucer-like basins around each plant help to concentrate water where it is most needed - at the plant's roots. Watering by hand is easy when there are saucers to fill up.
RAIN BARRELS
Rain barrels "harvest" rain and runoff from your home's downspouts. They are particularly useful if your can locate plants, beds or pots that require moist soil nearby. They are also great for filling up watering cans for indoor plants.
Where to get a rain barrel - Rain barrels are available for purchase on-line and in most large garden centers. It is also relatively easy to make your own.
Discounts - MWRA does not offer discounted rain barrels at this time. Some communities offer discounted rain barrels. Contact your local Department of Public Works for information on what's available.
Purchase Rain Barrels on-line - To purchase a rain barrel on-line, visit the following web sites:
Make Your Own Rain Barrel - if you are handy, making a rain barrel is relatively easy and inexpensive. Below are links to DIY instructions.
LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION
PDF files on this page require Adobe Acrobat Reader. (Free download)
Updated August 18, 2022