Irrigation Practices

Did you know that watering too much or too little is the cause of many common plant health problems? You can have healthier plants, save money on water bills, and conserve precious water resources by learning to give your lawn and garden just what they need, and no more.

• Less is more - If you step on your lawn and the grass springs back, it does not need to be watered. In addition to wasting water, over-watering can increase leaching of fertilizers into ground water and can harm your lawn and plants. Watering plants too much and too frequently also results in shallow roots, weed growth, disease, and fungus. Familiarize yourself with the settings on your irrigation controller and adjust the watering schedule regularly to conform with seasonal weather conditions.
  
  
• Use alternative sources of water - To further reduce your water consumption, consider using alternative sources of irrigation water, such as gray water, reclaimed water, and collected rainwater via rain barrels. Most of the water we use to irrigate landscapes is treated, potable drinking water. By reducing the amount of drinking water used for landscape irrigation, we reduce the burden on water treatment facilities, which helps reduce the need for water treatment works expansion. Homes with access to alternative sources of irrigation water can reduce their water bills significantly. However, in some drought-prone localities, reclaiming water is not allowed; therefore, check with public health or municipal officials before using alternative sources of water. Information on local water regulations may be available on local government Web sites.
  
  
• Make every drop count - The typical single-family suburban household uses at least 30 percent of their water for irrigation. Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of landscape water goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by over-watering. Easy ways to lower water bills and get more water to plants include:
  
  - Water in the early morning-if you water at mid-day, much of the water just evaporates. Evening watering should be avoided because it can encourage the growth of mold or plant diseases.
  
  - Water lawns separately from other plantings. Make sure sprinklers are not watering pavement.
  
  - Water new trees and shrubs longer and less frequently than shallow-rooted plants, which require smaller amounts of water more often. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation systems for trees and shrubs. Note: Once established, trees and shrubs in many areas of the U.S. generally do not require any watering, exceptions being arid regions.
  
  - When using a hose, control the flow with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
  
  - Minimize or eliminate chemical fertilizing, which artificially promotes new growth that will need additional watering.
  
  - Raise your lawn mower cutting height - longer grass blades help shade each other, reduce evaporation, and inhibit weed growth.
  
  - When soil is dry or compacted, it won't absorb water quickly. If water puddles, stop watering until the water has time to soak in.
  
  - Amend your soil with compost and mulch to hold water and reduce evaporation.
  
  - When outdoor use of city or well water is restricted during a drought, use the leftover water from the bath or sink on plants or the garden. Don't use water that contains bleach, automatic-dishwashing detergent, fabric softener, or other chemicals.
  
  - In a dry spell, you can also allow an established lawn to go dormant in non-arid parts of the country. Water just once a month and brown areas of the lawn will bounce back in the fall. 

Source: http://www.epa.gov