Garden Watering Restrictions

Watering Times

• For more efficient watering for lawns and gardens, watering should be done very early morning or in the evening. Evaporation happens during the heat of the late morning and afternoon, generally between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Choose those days that are not windy to keep water from being blown from its target area in the garden. The time to leave irrigation running depends on the plants, but deep watering less often is better for water conservation than shallow watering more often.

Native Plants

• The use of native plants in different geographical zones is a way to incorporate water-wise plants into a garden landscape. Native plants in a dry zone already have a tolerance to heat and using less water, so look for plants native in your planting zone. Local nurseries can provide direction on which species to look for and purchase, and gardening books for different areas will be helpful in choosing plants for planning a new garden landscape.

Xeriscapes and Rock Gardens

• Xeriscaping is a term for water-wise garden landscaping where water conservation is the primary goal. Rock gardens fit well into xeriscapes, and some rock gardens focus on garden objects themselves, such as rock paths, or showpiece large rock formations. However, avoid too much rock in place of plants, as that can contribute to stormwater runoff. Xeriscaping emphasizes drought-tolerant, native plants.

Proper Irrigation

• Check irrigation systems regularly for leaks, and divide them into zones so water isn't wasted. Limit the number of water-loving plants that you install, and group them in one area so that you can water them more frequently than the rest of your garden. The rest of the garden may not need all the extra water, and it can be saved for other purposes. Adjust any automatic watering systems to reflect the current season, and install an automatic shut-off sensor to stop watering when it rains.