July is traditionally the month of a peak demand for water for lawns, gardens, and landscapes. So far, we’ve had a VERY hot July, but you might find it surprising to learn that most homeowners typically overwater their lawns and landscape by up to 30 percent. If you fall into that category, you could be unintentionally wasting money every time you take out the hose or turn on the sprinklers. (That is, unless you’re like me, who severely under-waters everything resulting in an untimely death for many of the plants I come in contact with.)
The Irrigation Association named July as Smart Irrigation Month to increase public awareness about simple practices and innovative technologies homeowners, businesses, and property managers can use to save money on utility bills and protect their community’s water supply for generations to come. By selecting and planting carefully, watering wisely, and maintaining and upgrading automated irrigation systems, you can save money, save water, and see better results.
Check out our smart watering tips and this handy Water Wise Landscaping & Watering Guide and see what kind of improvements you can achieve in your lawns and landscapes. Personally, instead of not watering at all, I’m going to try to concentrate my efforts on watering early in the day, before I leave for work, when it is cooler and less water will evaporate. What will you do to be water-wise?