Unused stories

Gardening Tips - Water Conservation

Not sure how to make that requested 24% saving in your water usage?

Here are some great suggestions from Sonoma Marin Water Partnership's informative website.

Water Conservation Tips:
• Water between midnight and 6:00 a.m. to reduce water loss from evaporation and wind. Water your lawn and garden in 2 short cycles rather than one long one. Watering to a depth of 4 to 6” will encourage deeper healthier roots and allow the plants to go without water for longer periods of time.
• Target your water use in your garden by hand watering exactly in the spots that need it.
• Inspect and tune-up your sprinkler system monthly. Adjust your sprinkler heads to prevent water draining off your lawn and down the gutter. Reduce sprinkler run-time, and don’t be a gutter flooder.
• Use a broom, not a hose, to clean your driveway, deck or patio. Washing a sidewalk or driveway with a hose uses about 50 gallons of water every 5 minutes.
• Your water meter is an important conservation tool. It not only measures the amount of water you use, but can also tell you if there is a leak in your plumbing.
• Use a bucket and a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle when you wash the car, or take your car to a carwash that recycles. Save water by extending the time between car washes.
• Cover pools and hot tubs to reduce evaporation.
Sheet mulching is a simple technique for converting lawn to a low water use garden and nurturing the soil...