Water Conservation Tips & Resources

We waste water when we ……

• Water too much. Excess water runs off the area, or through the soil past the plant’s roots.
• Water too little, and the plant dies.
• Water when it’s too hot, and surface water is lost to evaporation. Water early in the morning on hot days to prevent this.
• Water when it’s too windy, and lose water to wind spray and evaporation.
• Plant non-native plants that need constant summer irrigation!

Adding organic matter to your soil is a simple and effective way to make the most of the water you use! Doing this will

• Help clay soils soak up water.
• Help sandy soils retain water.
• Add nutrients to soil.

Adding organic matters also helps sustain and increase micro-life, which:

• Helps plants take up the moisture and nutrients they need from the soil.
• Helps aerate (add pores and small channels to the soil, so air, water and nutrients can move through it easier) soil.
• Reduces compaction – this reduces runoff, increases microbial activity, allows roots to grow deeper and increases nutrient utilization.

Group plants with similar water needs together. You can save time, effort and lots of water by making sure you place plants in the right area!

• Learn where you have different micro-climates (an area or zone, which can be several square miles, or as small as a few square feet, where the climate is different from the regional average.).
• Planting the right plant in the right place will make for a healthier plant. Healthier plants fight off disease and pests better.
• Plant densely, prune and weed regularly, as needed.
• Place high water-use plants near one another. For instance, if you have a lawn, place annuals and high water-use perennials nearby so they’ll get watered more frequently.

Check out our Native Plant Guide for detailed information on over 50 native groundcovers, shrubs and trees! Each listing will tell you the plant’s light and water requirements, mature size, wildlife supported and more.

Native plants have evolved here with our wet Winters and our dry Summers. They are also adapted to the soils of this region. What this means is that once they are established after a year or two, there is no need to water them. Imagine the plants in the forest – nobody is out there watering them!

If you have any questions about native plants or how to care for them, contact us!

Mulch moderates soil temperatures, keeping the ground temperature more stable. It also helps prevent weeds, adds nutrients as it breaks down, and retains moisture on dry summer days!

• Organic mulch (from plant materials – bark mulch, compost, hazelnut shells etc) is generally better than inorganic mulch (such as rocks).
• Organic mulch breaks down into beneficial nutrients and also doesn’t tend to heat up as much with the sun (the more heat, the more you need to irrigate)

Unlike hand-watering and sprinklers, drip irrigation delivers water directly to roots with minimal evaporation.

• Hand-watering usually only wets the surface, which can lead to shallow root systems.
• Sprinklers allow you to walk away and water deeper, but you almost always end up watering areas that don’t need water – encouraging weeds and contributing to runoff.
• Drip irrigation / soaker hoses deliver water right to the root system. They produce minimal evaporation, reduce weeds and encourage a deeper root system.

Maintaining drip systems for water efficiency:

• Plant densely (don’t leave open ground), prune and weed regularly.
• Check drip system for proper function and coverage.

No matter which device you use – utilize a timer!

Time watering to reduce evaporation:

Cool temperature + still air = low evaporation= less water wasted

• Early morning (or in the middle of the night if you have a timer) are the best times to water.
• The water bureau recommends watering in the middle of the night instead of first thing in the morning so we avoid the morning shower rush. Makes sense – if we are all watering our landscapes at the same time that many of us are showering it can really put a drain on the City’s water system!T

To water the most efficiently, keep an eye on the “weekly watering number”.

The Weekly Watering Number is the amount of water in inches that your lawn will need that week.  You can also use the Weekly Watering Number for watering other types of plants, by using these general guidelines while getting your plants established.

• Shrubs: 50% of the Weekly Watering Number.
• Perennials: 50% of the Weekly Watering Number.
• Vegetables: 75% of the Weekly Watering Number (new starts may require more water).
• Trees: Newly planted trees need regular watering for up to the first couple of years, while established trees may need a deep soak or two in summer.

Know your weekly watering number!

• Bookmark this website to learn more and to keep a close eye on the weekly watering number.

You might be thinking about reducing outdoor water use by replacing your thirsty lawn with artificial turf. But before you roll out the green carpet, here are a number of reasons why artificial turf is NOT an environmentally friendly choice! (In fact, it’s even worse than lawns!)

Toxic to people and wildlife

• Artificial turf contains many substances that are toxic to both humans and wildlife, including lead, zinc, PFAS, PAHs, benzene, and more. Children are exposed to these chemicals through their skin and mouths.
• Artificial turf pollutes stormwater with chemicals and microplastics, which pollutes nearby soil and water.
• Artificial turf also releases some chemicals as gases, which children then inhale as they play.

Contributes to climate change and its impacts

• Artificial turf fields get extremely hot, contributing to the urban heat island effect. Children have suffered burns from from sliding falls in the summer.
• Artificial turf requires fossil fuels to make and emits greenhouse gases while in use.
• Artificial turf contributes to urban flooding because it both prevents water from infiltrating, and reduces the soil’s ability to soak up water.

Zero habitat value

• Artificial turf slowly kills the soil underneath it, depriving soil life of air, water, and food.
• It provides no food, shelter, or habitat for any kind of wildlife.