| Water conservation should be everyone's job. If | | | | in their natural environment with your area's |
| you don't want to be called a "tree-hugger" then | | | | typical rainfall. Do not plant lush tropicals that |
| think of this challenge as a way to save money. | | | | require a lot of water if your natural climate can't |
| Every once and a while, the two go hand-in-hand. | | | | support them. |
| Everyone knows to fix a leaky faucet or to not | | | | 5. Don't mow your yard down to the nub. Keep |
| take long showers, but how many of us can | | | | the grass a little longer to make it healthier and |
| come up with 10 ways to save water outside? | | | | able to retain moisture more efficiently. |
| Think about this for a moment and then check | | | | 6. Don't use a water hose to clear debris or dirt |
| your list with ours. | | | | from a driveway, use a blower or outdoor broom |
| 1. Use a water barrel. About 50-70% of all water | | | | instead. |
| use is for outside watering of your lawn and | | | | 7. Add plants to your garden in the fall, when it's |
| garden. Why not use the run-off from your roof | | | | cooler and rains more frequently. Planting in early |
| to irrigate your petunias, roses and lawns? These | | | | summer means you'll be watering them everyday |
| are so simple to make and can easily be put up in | | | | for a couple of weeks until they get established. |
| a single Saturday afternoon. Typically 55 gallon | | | | 8. Plant groundcover or shrubs on slopes instead |
| plastic drums are used, but there are also some | | | | of grassy turf. |
| decorative designs which will not only save water, | | | | 9. Compost more of your household stuff. Each |
| but add appeal to your landscape. | | | | time you use the garbage disposal you waste |
| 2. Point your sprinklers toward your grass and not | | | | water. Composting also helps the garden plants |
| the road or driveway. | | | | become healthier and more tolerant to drier |
| 3. Use soaker hoses to cut down on evaporation | | | | conditions. |
| loss. Also, water in the early mornings before the | | | | And the last way to save money on your |
| sun comes out. The hotter outside, the more | | | | landscape is..., you guessed it, get another water |
| evaporation you'll experience. | | | | barrel. |
| 4. Only plant flowers and grass that is native to | | | | 10. Use multiple water barrels. The more sources |
| your area. These are climatized to your region | | | | of free water you can have, the better. |
| and will require less watering by you. They thrive | | | | |