Make the most of your water
People waste water; plants don’t. Water is wasted when it is applied too rapidly and runs off rather than soaking in or is applied to bare soil surfaces and evaporates.
Choose the best irrigation system
Trees, shrubs, flowerbeds, and vegetable gardens are best irrigated with drip or trickle systems. Large trees and shrubs may need a hose trickling water for several hours. Microspray emitters or a pop-up-type irrigation system are good for plants in sandy soils.
Watering priorities
High
- New plants require at least 1 inch of water per week from June through September and during other dry periods.
- New lawns need 1–1.5 inches per week when it’s dry.
- Mature trees need to be watered deeply every two weeks. (High priority because of the trees’ value)
Medium
- Established landscapes can be strategically watered; important areas can be watered regularly and less-prominent areas to be left dormant.
- Mature lawns will stay green when watered once or twice a week with 1/2–3/4 inch.
- Healthy shrubs are a lower priority than trees. Remove overgrown, unhealthy, or improperly placed bushes.
Low
- Forgo annual bedding plants with high water requirements.
- Perennial plants. Mulch the bed to reduce evaporation.
