Water-Wise Gardening: Smart Strategies for Conservation

Water conservation matters everywhere—even in regions with ample rainfall, droughts occur. Western states face chronic scarcity. Here's how to garden responsibly:

Hydrozone Your Plantings

Group plants with similar water needs so they can be irrigated together—no plant gets too much or too little. Site thirsty plants in spots shielded from drying winds.

Rethink Your Lawn

Lawns consume the most water per square foot. Replace with unthirsty groundcovers (juniper, coyote brush, ivy), gravel, paving, or a deck. If keeping lawn, minimize its size and choose climate-adapted grass.

Mulch Generously

Organic mulch (several inches thick) insulates soil, slows evaporation, and keeps roots cool. Rocks, gravel, black plastic, and permeable landscape fabrics also work.

Eliminate Runoff

Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering pavement. On slopes or clay soil, water in short intervals to improve penetration. Terraces and basins help on slopes.

Use Low-Volume Irrigation

Soaker hoses and drip irrigation dramatically reduce water use. Retrofit existing sprinkler systems with low-volume heads or convert to drip.

Install Timers

Simple timers shut off water after a set time or volume. Smart timers run on schedules but need seasonal adjustments. Add soil moisture sensors or rain shutoff devices to prevent watering during rain or when soil is already moist.

Manage Slopes

Create basins or terracing to channel water directly to root zones and prevent downhill runoff.