Keep your lawn looking its best for less

In summer months, outdoor usage accounts for half of the water used by an average household. Here’s how you can reduce outside water consumption without sacrificing the beauty of your lawn. 

Know when to water
Watering is only necessary when the soil is dry. Dig your finger into the soil. Only water if it’s dry to a depth of 1 1/2 inches. The best time to water is in the morning. If you sprinkle your lawn under the midday sun, you’ll lose as much as 30% through evaporation.

Shorter sessions are better
Lawns can only absorb so much water. Three 10-minute sessions, spaced half an hour apart, are much better than one 30-minute session that results in run-off.


The best tools  for the job
When you water, use a  sprinkler rather than a hand-held hose. Sprinklers provide steady, uniform watering, covering a large area at a consistent rate. Soaker hoses are great for smaller areas in gardens and around shrubs. These porous hoses, placed on the ground, deliver water slowly right to the root zone. Avoid wasteful automatic sprinklers. (Note: not recommended when water ban is in full force.)

How much is enough?
A mature, healthy lawn needs between 0.7” and 1.0” of water a week during the summer. In cool, cloudy weather, 0.7” should be sufficient. In hot, sunny, windy weather 1.0” may be needed. Use a rain gauge to monitor how much water falls naturally, and supplement as needed. Here in New England, generally it is not necessary to irrigate during the spring and fall.

Helpful tips for reducing water usage

	Check all outside faucets and sprinkler connections for leaks
	Keep grass at least two inches long to shade roots and hold moisture
	Mulch around gardens and shrubs to reduce evaporation
	Water in sunny areas more frequently than in shady places
	Aerate your lawn regularly to allow air, water, and fertilizer to reach the roots
	Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways, walks and patios
	Wash your car with a bucket of water, then rinse with a spray nozzle
	Use a pool cover to cut down on water evaporation
	Don't drain your pool in fall, cover it instead

Conserving water

inside your home.