Ways to Save Water in Your Backyard This Summer
Here in San Diego, we have amazing weather, but people tend to forget that we are in a desert climate that doesn’t get a lot of water. The cost of water and demand is going up, so it is critical to cut back on your water waste. Being conscious of your water use doesn’t mean you can’t have a lawn or nice plants, it just means you need to be more aware of where you plant your plants, when you water them, and your overall strategy. There are many different ways you can save water in your backyard, here are just a few.
Drip Irrigation
One great way to reduce your water waste in your yard is by installing a drip irrigation system. A drip irrigation system slowly drips water onto the soil, which gets absorbed by your plants. Most irrigation systems water a large area, which means a ton of water gets evaporated or is wasted by staying on the leaves. Drip irrigation systems focus on the roots and soil, which effectively minimizes the water you are using and wasting. Check out our blog about how to install a DIY drip irrigation system to learn more.
Water at Night or Early in the Morning
By watering your yard at night or early in the morning, you are ensuring that there is much less water wasted from evaporation and drifting spray from the winds. You are also setting your plants up to fight off any stress from heat during the day. If you have an irrigation system, plan out a watering schedule and opt for late at night so that your plants get to soak up the water for as long as possible before getting dried out by the sun.
Get a Hose Extension Wand
These are amazing for watering your yard if you don’t have a drip irrigation system! Getting a hose extension wand is inexpensive and helps ensure you are applying water directly to the soil and roots instead of wasting it by spraying in the air or on foliage. Watering the leaves of your plants is wasteful and can actually be bad for them, so focus on the roots when watering. Not to mention, this tool makes it easier on your back while watering because you don’t have to bend over or step in your garden beds as much. Just make sure the extension wand has a trigger so it’s not constantly on and wasting water while you walk around.
Get a Rain Barrel
Rain barrels are amazing for plants because the water is free of many salts and chemicals that are present in most ground or tap water. They take very minimal effort once you get them set up and can help you reduce your water usage year round.
Check for Leaks
Outdoor leaks are prone to water waste because they typically go unnoticed. Check your hose and irrigation systems for leaks weekly to ensure you aren’t wasting water. According to the EPA, a single 1/32” diameter leak on a hose, emitter or outdoor faucet can waste more than 6,000 gallons of water in a year!
Opt For Drought Tolerant Plants
Here in San Diego, we have a dry climate and it is important to choose plants for your yard that will thrive in our environment. Drought tolerant plants don’t require much water and typically derive from desert climates, like ours, where water only comes once a year. Drought tolerant plants need light watering, maybe once a week during summer. Check out our favorite drought tolerant plants for your San Diego backyard.
Utilize Mulch
Mulch is a material that consists of decaying leaves, bark, or compost and you apply a thick layer of it to the surface of the soil in your garden. Mulch reduces the evaporation of water from the soil surface, so it keeps your plants moist. It is incredibly helpful in reducing the amount of water you need to use in your yard. Mulch also has amazing benefits for your plants due to its organic matter.
Water
A great way to reduce your water waste is by recycling the water you use and otherwise let go to waste throughout the day. Make a conscious effort to save water from your shower by placing a bucket on the floor (don’t get the soapy water). You can also put a bucket in your sink when you are washing your veggies – save up all that water and use it for your plants. Get creative and start paying attention to the tasks you do throughout the day that waste water. Figure out how you can recycle it instead!
Hydrozone
Hydrozoning is a technique where you group plants together in your yard based on their individual and collective water needs. Group your plants together based off low, medium, and high water use to ensure you are using less water overall and keeping your plants happy and healthy by not overwatering or underwatering them.
Swap out Your Lawn
These days there are so many different options when it comes to artificial turf that they can actually look similar to real grass. Artificial turf requires zero water and looks amazing year round. Did you know that a typical lawn requires up to 56,000 gallons of water a year?! Majorly cut back on your water waste and the time and money you spend doing upkeep by opting for an artificial turf instead of sod or natural grass. Here’s a great blog that goes over the many benefits of artificial turf – we talk about way more than just water waste.
Don’t Overwater
Seems simple, right? More water is wasted due to overwatering plants than any other reason. Not only is overwatering wasteful, but it can actually be very damaging for your plants because it can stress the root systems and contribute to root rot, fungus, and bacteria. Make sure you do some research about the plants in your backyard so that you know exactly how much water they need. Plants will show signs of overwatering such as wilting foliage, brown leaves, yellow falling leaves, blisters or lesions on the plant, or root rot. Overwatering causes your plants to suffocate and drown and once you see root rot, your best option is to remove the plant before it gets worse.
There are so many small, inexpensive ways to reduce the water you waste in your backyard. It’s all about being conscious about the way you water your plants and making steps to reduce and recycle your water. If you are interested in remodeling your outdoor living space to create a drought tolerant, water wise yard, don’t hesitate to reach out!