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.