Recent conversations here at the district have swirled around drought forecasts and below normal rainfall totals even with the past rains. As the days heat up and the water demand rises, have you thought about the water requirements of your landscape?
We all know that a healthy, beautiful landscape around our homes takes a lot of hard work and sometimes a lot of water! There are simple ways to practice water conservation even in droughty times.
One small step to incorporating water conservation into landscape features is to plant for success. There are so many beautiful native species options that can significantly reduce a scape’s water consumption by approximately 80%. Deeper root systems keep the plants thriving in the crazy Texas weather patterns, including high temperatures and little rainfall. Texas Smart Scape and www. wildflower.org are both great resources to learn more about native plant species.
Trading out thirsty turf grasses like Saint Augustine and Bermuda for native grass species like Curly Mesquite and Buffalograss can also lower lawn irrigation needs. Mulch is another helpful addition to beds. Just a minimum of 3 to 6 inches of organic mulch will help maintain moisture levels and reduce watering frequency.
Don’t set it and forget it! Sprinkler systems have their benefits. Smart controllers, rain sensors, and even soil moisture meters can all aid in a conservative approach to landscape irrigation, but even with technology human involvement is still needed. It is important to closely monitor landscape. Checking the soil moisture level, sensors, controllers, and sprinkler heads on a regular basis will cut down on unnecessary watering.
Rainwater harvesting can also be incorporated into lawn irrigation systems. There are many system options that can be used to fit your needs and budget. In Texas, rainwater harvesting equipment is tax exempt!
Making small changes within our homes and landscape to save water will not only add up by the drop but could also add up by the dollar.