Water Wise Gardening Tips
- Be sure to follow PWC’s Odd/Even Year Round Watering Schedules.
- Watering needs vary, depending on your soil and type of grass. In general, you should water no more than one inch a week.
- Mulch is one of the simplest and most effective ways to conserve water.
- Lawns can be water-needy, but you can reduce your lawn area by adding groundcover or mulched beds.
- Don’t mow your lawn too short. Taller grass “shades” the soil so less water evaporates.
- If you’re hand watering with a garden hose, use a spray nozzle. And never leave the nozzle outside – exposure can cause it to crack and leak.
- Consider using drip irrigation. These systems are highly efficient, because the water sinks into the ground before it has a chance to evaporate.
- Soil prep is a key step. Good soil holds moisture better. Before landscaping, have your soil tested at the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension.
- Create a drawing of your property to identify factors that can influence your plans, such as permanent structures, shading/sun exposure, drainage areas.
- Put “like” plants together, grouping them according to their watering needs.
- Drought resistant-grasses – such as centipede, bermuda, & zoysia – survive and thrive with low watering in our region.
- Use the shade you have or create your own by planting trees or shrubs.
- Be sure to follow PWC’s Odd/Even Year Round Watering Schedules.
- If you have an automatic sprinkler system, be sure it’s programmed correctly and adjusted for weather conditions. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, install a rain sensor and take advantage of PWC’s Rain Sensor Program.