How Can I Keep My Landscape Looking Lovely When There Are Water Restrictions?

By Taun Beddes & Kelly Kopp | April 24, 2015


Water restrictions are in place in many cities in northern Utah, with more likely to follow. In most cases, though, landscapes and gardens can still be kept and enjoyed. Consider these suggestions for keeping your landscapes and gardens healthy while still saving water.

Landscape Your Yard

  1. In almost all circumstances, plants tolerate or prefer to have variations in soil moisture. This means that it is perfectly fine for soil to dry out moderately between irrigations. Soil that is kept overly wet reduces vigor and can actually kill plants
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  2. Do not rely on a sprinkler clock or irrigation controller to irrigate lawns on a set schedule. Instead, determine when the lawn actually requires irrigation and manually activate the system as needed. A common sign of drought stress in turfgrass is grass blades not quickly springing back upright when walked on, leaving a trail of footprints in the lawn. Additionally, walking on a lawn barefoot can actually let you feel how dry the soil is. Relatively dry soil under the grass is hard, does not give when stepped on and is slightly uncomfortable to walk on. Wetter soil depresses a bit when weight is applied to it.
  3. Do not water between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. During this period, up to 50 percent of water emitted from sprinklers is lost to evaporation. Instead, irrigate when the sun is down or low in the sky.
  4. Small areas of the lawn can brown out during hot weather because of variations and inefficiencies in sprinkling systems. Instead of increasing the amount of time the entire sprinkling system irrigates to eliminate brown spots, supplement water to the area with a small lawn sprinkler or water by hand with a hose.
  5. Mow the lawn at a height of 3 to 3-1/2 inches. This allows roots to penetrate deeper into the soil and increases overall drought hardiness of turf.
  6. When irrigating turf, water long enough for the water to penetrate 6 to 12 inches into the soil. This also encourages deeper root development and reduces the frequency of required irrigations.
  7. Irrigate shady and sunny areas according to need. Shady areas only require irrigation every 10 days or so. Sunnier areas may only require watering every 5-7 days.
  8. Cover bare soil in the garden and flower beds with 2-3 inches of mulch. Not only does this save water, it greatly reduces weeding. Inexpensive mulch can be obtained from many local green waste recycling centers. Grass clippings also work well and are free.
  9. Hand-water or use drip irrigation to irrigate flowerbeds, vegetable gardens and shrub beds. Water should be placed near plants and penetrate the soil 6 inches deep for flowers and veggies. Water should penetrate 2 feet into the soil for established trees and shrubs.

 

Answer by:
  • Taun Beddes, Utah State University Extension horticulturist, 801-851-8460, taun.beddes@usu.edu
  • Kelly Kopp, Utah State University Extension water conservation and turfgrass specialist, 435-757-6650, kelly.kopp@usu.edu