How to Conserve Water in Your Yard

Yes, we know there’s still snow on the ground, so why are we talking about water usage right now?  Because before too long it will be spring, and now is the time to plan for changes you might want to make in your landscaping this spring.

Sustainable landscaping is what many homeowners are moving toward.  This includes a variety of factors, but an important one is reducing water usage.

There are tips for conserving water to use throughout your landscape.

Rainfall is not something that can easily be predicted, and it might not come routinely.  And in drier seasons, some communities restrict outdoor watering.  Perhaps you don’t have the time for extended watering sessions.  Don’t let any of this change the way your landscape looks. There are ways around it, and if you plan accordingly, your landscape will not have to suffer through it. Skip the drought and take precautions to keep your landscape looking the best that it can.

Taking Proper Care of Your Lawn 

First, are you watering out of habit, or when it’s really necessary?  There is a test that can be done to ensure that your lawn is properly watered. Walk a few steps across it, and if the grass springs back up, you can wait. If the grass lays there for a few seconds or indefinitely, then it will need some sort of water to spring it back to life. Leaving clippings in the grass can also provide shade around the roots, which slows evaporation of moisture. Here are some more tips for keeping your yard healthy and happy.

How Does Your Garden Grow?
Consider placement.  Group together plants that need a lot of water next to plants that do not need very much. This can help even out the amount of rain water that is used, so those with a lower water requirement do not get too much and those that need more can soak up the excess. These groupings can also be beautiful for your yard, adding visual interest and color.

Another great way to reduce water usage for your garden beds is to use native plant species such as wildflowers and prairie grass; they require far less water.  In fact, many don’t need to be watered at all.

Know Where the Extra Water Flow Is Heading
Are you watering things that don’t need it?  Whether you have an in-ground sprinkler system or you manually move sprinklers around your lawn, pay attention to where the water goes throughout the entire cycle.  When sprinklers are not directed just towards the lawn and are watering the pavement, they are wasting water.

Also, if you’ve got a manual sprinkler system, set yourself a timer or other reminder to turn it off.  Automatic sprinkler systems are more expensive, but they avoid the possibility of flooding your lawn because you forgot your sprinklers were running.

Finally, we’ve got lots of ideas we can offer if you’re ready to turn your water-loving lawn into a low-maintenance area that needs much less water and care and still looks green and beautiful.  If you need help designing, implementing or taking care of your landscaping, speak with us here at Architectural Landscape Design. We are a licensed MN landscaping contractor for the Minneapolis area.