6 Quick Adjustments For Water-Smart Outdoor Living!

Spring has officially sprung, and despite recent rains, savvy Southern California gardeners practice water conservation and good stewardship as a way of life. As the weather warms up, we naturally spend more time outdoors, landscaping, gardening, entertaining, and hosing off cars and patios to keep them clean and in good shape for summer activities. Did you know? During the summer months, up to 70 percent of all household watering is spent on outdoor use. With just a few practical adjustments, you can still have fun in the sun, surrounded by a beautiful, productive garden and landscape, all while reducing your water use and saving money on your monthly bill. In addition to watering your landscape only when needed, taking good care of your irrigation equipment, and landscaping with low-water plants, let’s explore other ways to save water, time, and money on outdoor water-smart activities!

1 CHECK FOR WATER RUNOFF. In addition to wasting precious water, runoff carries fertilizer, pesticides, pet waste, and other pollutants into storm drains making water treatment more difficult and expensive. Address issues with your sprinkler system and landscape immediately if you notice overspray or drainage issues that cause hazardous runoff.

2 USE SOIL MOISTURE SENSORS. Save up to 70% more water outdoors without sacrificing the quality or health of your landscape by installing soil moisture sensors placed below ground in the root zones of lawns and landscapes. Visit mwdoc.com/rebates for rebate information.

3 AMEND YOUR SOIL. For deep-rooted plants that can withstand drought and winds, amend your soil for water penetration and retention. Note that most native plants don’t need soil amendment and require very little water, even in the summer months!

4 ADD A SHUT-OFF NOZZLE. Did you know? Depending on the length and diameter of your garden hose and the pressure from the spigot, water can flow anywhere from 5-24 gallons per minute! Shut-off nozzles prevent water waste, allowing you to control water flow and apply water to your landscape only where needed.

5 TRY A MINI BLOWER. Clean driveways and patios with a lightweight, handheld leaf blower instead of a garden hose. Some options weigh in at little more than 3.5 pounds, making this the perfect tool for anyone in your family.

6 USE TWO BUCKETS AND A RAG. Clean your patio furniture with a rag and two buckets; fill one with light soapy water and the other with fresh water to rinse. Vacuum cushions and spot-clean them with a damp rag. This simple adjustment can save up to 100 gallons of water each time!