CONSERVE WATER OUTSIDE
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Lee County got a nice soaking this past week, when the rains started falling on Thursday and continued through the weekend. But these recent rains still have not moved us out of the moderate drought classification. Last week’s article focused on conserving water in the home, this week I move to outside.
Another big use of our water is for outdoor activities. In addition to landscape maintenance, outdoor water use includes washing cars, driveways, and sidewalks, as well as filling swimming pools and children’s water toys. Today with input from Stephanie Romelczyk our Horticulture Agent, here are a few ways you can reduce the amount of water outside.
In your landscape design, group plants based on the amount of water they need. This planning will prevent you from over watering or under watering your plants. In addition, you may want to improve your soil by adding organic matter. Materials such as compost or peat increase the soil’s ability to absorb and store water. This will allow water to soak in the soil instead of running off the surface. Also, consider using rain barrels to collect water for plant use.
You also want to select trees, shrubs and other plants that are adapted to the soils, climate and conditions in your landscape. Native plants are adaptive to our area, however be aware that some native plants prefer moist soils. Remember all plants require water at establishment no matter how drought resistant they are.
Water plants only when necessary. Remember, plants don’t waste water, people do. Landscape water loss usually occurs in two ways: water is applied too rapidly and runs off the soil surface rather than soaking in the soil, or water is applied to bare soil and evaporates. If you decide to water your plants, do so in the early morning or evening. Less water will be lost to evaporation when temperatures are lower and humidity is higher in the mornings and evenings. Most landscape and gardens need no more than one inch of water per week.
Mulching around plants can significantly reduce water evaporation from soils. Many types of mulch are available (wood chips, shredded bark, pine straw). In addition to reducing water evaporation, mulch can suppress weed growth, prevent soil compaction and moderate soil temperatures.
Depending on your grass, mow at the highest recommended height. A lawn cut at the proper height will encourage maximum root development, which will improve drought tolerance. The taller grass will also shade the root system and allow the soil to hold moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
Avoid over fertilizing your lawn. The application of fertilizers increases the need for water. During a water shortage, reduce or eliminate fertilization of trees and shrubs. As a result, the plants will grow more slowly and use less water.
Some additional water conservation tips include: don’t hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
Install a nozzle on your garden hose that can be adjusted down to a fine spray so water flows only as needed. When finished, turn the water off at the faucet instead of the nozzle to avoid leaks.
Never leave sprinklers or hoses unattended. Your garden hoses can pour out hundreds of gallons in only a few hours, so don’t leave the sprinkler running all day. If needed, use a timer or alarm to remind yourself to turn it off.
Extension has several publications related to water wise landscaping or for more information you can call us and speak with our Horticulture Agent or a Master Gardener Volunteer. We all must do our part to help with water conservation and while these suggestions may only save a little water, we all can do a better job at conserving water in the coming year.
Susan Condlin is County Extension Director for North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Lee County.