Tchk-tchk-tchk-tchk…Sprinklers are a sound and sight of summer. They are also a sign of our dependence on the water resources around us. During the heat of the season it’s especially important to keep water conservation in mind when working in the yard. It is a simple pleasure to work your toes into a deep patch of lush, green grass…but how much do you need to water to get that beautiful lawn? Many of our lawns are over-watered. Here are a few suggestions for how to keep your lawn healthy without draining the aquifer:
- When watering your lawn is necessary, do so during the cooler hours, before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. Less water will be lost to evaporation in the hot sun. If you use a sprinkler, place it carefully to avoid wasting water on the driveways or sidewalks.
- Install a rain gauge ($2.00) to check if your lawn or garden is getting the minimum of one inch of rain per week. If your lawn is getting an inch or more of water a week, additional watering is unnecessary. Often, even less water is necessary, particularly if you plant native species.
- Mow your lawn at 2-3 inches in height to shade the soil and prevent water loss in hot weather. This also keeps your lawn healthy. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to return moisture and nutrients to the soil and provide thin mulch.
- Automatic landscape irrigation systems are a home’s biggest water use. If you have an automatic system, adjust your irrigation controller at least once a month to account for changes in weather, or install a rain shutoff device or soil moisture sensor.
- Install a rain barrel to catch rainwater for your lawn and garden. Rainwater is better for your plants, and you can save money on water. A rain barrel can be made inexpensively. It can be something as simple as placing a plastic garbage container under the water spout from your gutter, or you can make a more sophisticated one with a lid and spout. For more information, check out http://www.rainbarrelguide.com/
For more information and ideas on how to conserve water, visit www.enactwi.org. Check back here every other week throughout the summer for new tips from EnAct to help you step more lightly on the environment. EnAct, a program of Madison Environmental Group, Inc., encourages sustainable living and strengthens communities by creating Environmental Action Teams in neighborhoods, community organizations and workplaces. If you are interested in starting your own EnAct team, please contact us at enact@madisonenvironmental.com or (608) 204-2888.