This Spring began with much of the Western US in a drought, meaning that it’s more important than ever to take steps in our own yards to conserve our most precious resource. Fortunately, there are a ton of steps that we can take to lower our water consumption and create a water-wise garden. We’ve compiled five of our favorites for you to put in action today!

 

Water at the Right Time

 

You may be tempted to water your lawn and garden when things seem dry. This can often be in the middle of the hottest times of the day. But in reality, watering in the heat of the day doesn’t allow your plants to absorb as much water because some of it gets evaporated by the sun. Watering early in the morning gives your plants more time to gulp up water and lets them absorb all water before night falls, when slugs and fungal diseases can affect wet plants. So, start your mornings with your plants and give them a drink of water while you drink your morning tea.

 

Collect Rainwater

 

Living in an area where we receive significantly less rainfall than other regions, it is important to make the most out of any rain we do get. You can easily collect rainfall to use in your yard by installing a rain barrel. These barrels attach directly to your home’s downspouts and collect the water running from your roof. By utilizing rain barrels as water sources, you can make sure your plants are getting the water they need without tapping into our water resources. Just be sure to use the collected rainwater on flowers and plants only. Never use rain barrel water on any fruits or vegetables in your garden or drink rain barrel-collected water.

 

Drip…Drip…Drip

 

You may have heard of drip irrigation. It is a great way to conserve water in your yard or garden. A drip irrigation system can be set up on a timer for ease and keep water low to the ground resulting in less wasted water either through evaporation or runoff. By utilizing drip irrigation, you get your plants exactly what they need without wasting water. It’s a definite win-win.

 

Organic Chemistry

 

Unless you’re a chemistry professional, you may cringe a little when you hear the term “organic chemistry” but fear not, implementing this in your garden is a lot easier than it sounds. Adding a layer of organic materials such as chipped branches, mulch, and other plant materials can help your garden retain its moisture. By adding organic material throughout your soil and including mulch on the surface, you can capture moisture and keep it from evaporating back into the atmosphere. LASAN can help you get started. Check out our free mulch program! 

 

Be Water-Wise

 

There is no one fix-all solution to lowering our water footprint, but if we take the time to think about when and how we use water in our daily lives, we can identify areas where we can improve. So, next time you’re taking a shower, brushing your teeth, or watering your garden, be sure to think about whether or not you can do something simple to save water. Can you cut down on your shower time by five minutes or turn the faucet off while brushing your teeth? Can you change your watering schedule or use drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping so that you don’t need to water as often? These are all things that you begin to notice and realize when you take the time to think about your water consumption. Take action and take the time to learn about when and how you use water in your daily life and how you can improve your water consumption habits.

 

Have any water-related questions? Feel free to contact us at lastormwater@lacity.org.