Did you know more than 50% of residential water use is spent outdoors?
And it’s estimated that some homeowners over-irrigate by as much as 60%! Over watering can actually hurt plants and watering the right amount will keep your plants healthy.
- Plan your garden
- Set up microclimates - watering your entire garden extra to satisfy only the thirstiest plants can lead to overwatering.
- Choose natives and drought-tolerant - these plants are naturally less water-dependent and better adapted to our California climate. Check out Bringing Back the Natives for ideas!
- Consider sun, wind, and shade - planning your plants around these characteristics will give your plants a healthier environment and better chance of thriving.
- Help your soil retain moisture
- Add mulch - a hot summer day can zap up to 70% of the moisture in the soil from evaporation. A 3 - 8 inch deep layer of mulch can lower watering needs. There are local mulch companies if you need to order a load for delivery.
- Add compost - compost helps increase the water-holding capacity of soil. Learn how to make your own compost here!
- Remove weeds - weeds need to be kept in check as they will otherwise steal the water intended for your plants. A good groundcover, or sheet-mulching, is a good way to keep weeds down.
- Irrigate wisely
- Water just enough - overwatering can actually stress your plants. Try reducing your watering schedule a bit and observe your plants - they might do fine, or even better, with just a bit less water!
- Water efficiently - set up a drip irrigation system so you don't have to worry about it! Learn how at a workshop this month!
- Sat, June 13, 2020 - "Get a Grip on Drip" 10 am - 12 noon; Live online workshop ($10) - "Drip Irrigation Contractor Expert Seth Wright demystifies drip irrigation, so you can enjoy a hassle-free summer and save money on your water bills. You'll learn to confidently install or upgrade your own drip irrigation system. We’ll discuss design considerations from manifold to emitter, No more tangles of spewing leaks or hiring someone to hand water when you’re out of town. Drip irrigation makes it all so easy."
- When and where to water - the sun evaporates water quckly, so water early in the morning or late in the evening. Try to water as close to the roots as possible.
To learn more and take action, visit https://cleanercontracosta.org/action/water-plants-just-enough
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