Watering
Don't waste water by letting it fall on areas where it is not needed. Position your sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas. Also avoid watering on windy days.

Do you need to water?
Water your lawn only when it needs it. A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, then it needs to be watered.

How to water
Deep soak your lawn. When you do water, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems.

When to water
Water during the cool parts of the day. Early morning generally is better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus.

Plants
Plant drought-resistant trees and plants. Many beautiful trees and plants thrive with far less watering than other species.

Use Mulch
Put a layer of mulch around trees and other plants. Mulch will slow the water from evaporating, and discourage weed growth, too.

Cleaning driveway and sidewalk
When you use a hose to clean the driveway or sidewalk, you are washing sediment and poisons into storm drains which flow directly into rivers. Use a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks so that you can dispose of this waste properly.

Washing the car
Don't let the water run while washing your car. Clean the car with a pail of soapy water. Use the hose just to rinse it off.

Hoses and Sprinklers
Don't play with hoses and sprinklers. These devices are for watering the lawn and garden. They are not toys and they use a lot of water.

Check for leaks
Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets, and couplings. Leaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they're not as visible, but they can be just as wasteful as leaks inside. Check frequently and keep them drip-free.

| In the House | | Outside | | Gardening | | Landscaping |

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