Watering lawns and gardens can double municipal water use in the summer. The stress on water systems from high demand and periods of low rainfall means some municipalities must declare restrictions on lawn and garden watering.
By applying some handy tips, your lawn and garden can cope with dry conditions and you can minimize your water use.
Stop over-watering
When you water your lawn excessively, it can become waterlogged and may turn yellow and develop fungus and diseases. Too much watering can also lead to thatch and fertilizer leaching. So before you water, always take into account the amount of rainfall your lawn and garden has received in the previous week.
Established lawns generally require about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week to thrive. To determine how much water to apply, place an empty tuna can on your lawn as you water evenly across the surface. When the water level reaches the top of the can, you've applied about 2.5 cm of water, which is all your lawn needs. You can time how long it takes to reach this level, then set the timer on your sprinkler.
Keep in mind: when there is a lack of rainfall, your grass may start to turn brown, but this doesn’t mean it is dead — it's simply dormant. An established lawn will recover and become green shortly after sufficient rainfall returns.
Choose an efficient irrigation system
For trees, shrubs and flower or vegetable gardens, a soaker hose is a good choice because it directs water to the root system. The hose is placed at the base of plants on the ground and applies water to the soil where it is needed — rather than to the leaves — and reduces evaporation. Drip or trickle irrigation systems are highly efficient because they deliver water slowly and directly to the roots under the soil surface. This promotes deeper roots, which improve a plant's drought resiliency.
Here are some additional tips to save water:
• Water slowly to avoid runoff and to ensure the soil absorbs the water. Deep watering is better than frequent, shallow watering because it encourages deep roots.
• Water in the early morning, before 9 a.m., to reduce evaporation.
• Don't cut your lawn too short. Set the blade on your lawn mower to cut no lower than 6-8 cm so that the roots are shaded and better able to hold water.
• Aerate your lawn once a year, in the early spring or fall, to improve water penetration.
• Apply a layer of mulch around garden plants, shrubs and trees to retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, control erosion and suppress weeds.
• Consider planting a low-maintenance lawn. Look for low-maintenance lawn seed mixes at your garden centre.
• When selecting new trees, shrubs, perennials and other plants, choose species that are drought-tolerant and well suited to your property’s conditions (sunlight, soil type and moisture).
To help you learn more about how to keep your garden green while conserving water, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has free About Your House fact sheets called Water Saving Tips for Your Lawn and Garden, and Low-Maintenance Lawns. For your copy, visit us online or call our toll free number: 1-800-668-2642.
Mark Salerno is district manager for the Greater Toronto Area at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
