Conserving Water: In the Yard
A large portion of outdoor water usage goes toward keeping our lawns and gardens looking their best. If you could maintain the look of your yard while conserving water, would you be willing to make some changes? If so, there are many ways that you can use less water around the yard. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Switch to a Native Grass
If you wish to both conserve water and keep your lawn looking green, consider switching to a species of native grass. Most lawns contain imported grasses that aren’t suited to the local climate and require a large amount of water to keep them looking at their best. A native species of grass will thrive under the typical conditions for your area so long as your lawn receives the normal amount of yearly rainfall. If you are facing an unusually dry summer, it may still be necessary to occasionally water your lawn.
Change Your Watering Schedule
If the time comes that you must water your lawn or garden, do so in the early morning or late evening. By watering when the sun is low on the horizon, less water will be lost to evaporation. With the moisture remaining in the soil for a longer period of time, your lawn or garden will receive the maximum benefit of the water. To reach the same level of ground saturation in the heat of the day requires much more water.
Install a Rain Barrel
Available online or from your local garden store, rain barrels are great for both conserving and storing water in the yard. Because the container is refilled with each rainfall, you will have an excellent source of fresh water that can be used during periods of dry weather. If your lawn and garden require a large amount of water, it may be necessary to purchase a series of connecting rain barrels to maximize the amount of water that is collected and stored.
Many people are unaware of how easy it is to conserve water in the yard. By changing a few simple things, it becomes much easier to use less water while maintaining your lawn and garden. Whether you switch to native grass, change your watering schedule, install a rain barrel, or any combination of the three, you will be doing your part to help conserve the world’s diminishing supply of fresh water.