Water usage in the yard

The following tips on how to conserve water in your yard come from Whole Living magazine.

Adjust your Lawn Mower: A taller lawn will shade plant roots and, as a result, hold soil moisture better than grass that's been closely clipped. Keep your blades at least three inches tall in the growing season, and cut them shorter in the fall to promote fresh growth.

Choose Native Plants: Water used on lawns and gardens accounts for up to 40 percent of total household use. Select species that are native to your area, and they'll have a much better chance of thriving with what Mother Nature provides.

Start Scheduling Your Sprinkler: You should never water midday; you'll lose too much to evaporation. In general, water in the evenings, unless it has been damp - then do it in the morning to avoid mildew problems. Consider using a soaker hose

Use Organic Fertilizer: Natural options (compost, bonemeal, peat) add nutrients without exposing your plants to the toxic chemicals found in conventional fertilizers, which can seep into the ground and contaminate water supplies.

Don't Go Nuts with the Flowers: Annuals, such as petunias and impatiens, typically require more water than most perennials

Rethink Your Lawn: In Oregon in the summer, you'll need a lot of sprinkler activity to maintain a huge grassy lawn. Consider tearing it out and using Xeriscaping methods to create a low-water usage landscape.

Mulch: Keep a two-inch layer over your flower bed to help your soil retain moisture

Monitor the Weather: Keep track of how much water your plants are getting with a rain gauge so that you don't do double duty with the house.

Monitor the Soil: Insert a trowel into your lawn or garden. If there's moisture two inches below the surface, it doesn't need water.

Sweep Up: Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your porch, driveway, or sidewalk.  As most water in Sandy ends up in the storm system, which ultimately ends up in No-Name Creek or Tickle Creek, this is also a great way to prevent chemicals, dirt, and pollutants from ending up in our streams.

Additional Resources:
- Water-Efficient Plants for the Willamette Valley
- Portland Plant List - September 2011
- Native Plant List
- Water Efficient Landscaping
- Water Wise Landscape Design
- Natural Landscaping and Native Plants
- Xeriscaping