Water-Saving Tips for Your Lawn and Garden 02

Too much watering can also lead to thatch and fertilizer leaching.Check with your municipality to see if watering restrictions are in effect.Avoid mowing and unnecessary traffic on your lawn when the lawn is dry or dormant. Don't cut your lawn too short. Set the blade on your lawn mower to cut no lower than 6 to 8 cm (2.5 to 3 in.) 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. Afterwards, top-dress by applying a thin layer (max. 15 mm ?0.6 in.) of organic material and rake to distribute evenly. You can overseed after this to help thicken the lawn.A thick, vigorous lawn is the best prevention against weed invasions and can better withstand heat and dryness.

A healthy lawn needs nutrients, such as nitrogen. Application rates, sources and timing will depend on many factors including soil type. As a rule, a healthy lawn with good soil needs about ?kg (1 lb.) of nitrogen per 100 sq. m. (1,075 sq. ft.) of lawn area every year. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to return nitrogen to the lawn, and reduce moisture loss.1 Newly seeded or sodded lawns have greater water demands.2 Actual water requirements depend on individual conditions, such as soil type.Tips for Trees, Shrubs and Flower GardensHere are some water-saving tips for trees, shrubs and flower gardens:Direct water to the root system. In the case of trees and shrubs, the roots that take up the most water are generally located within the top 30 cm (12 in.) of the soil and near and even beyond the drip line. This is the area directly below the outer tips of the branches.Plants have different watering requirements at various stages of their growth.

Keep soil moist in the first growing season. One rule of thumb is to water trees with a one-hour trickle using a soaker hose at least once per week, barring a good rainfall and more frequently during hot weather. Taper off watering in the fall. In the second growing season, water twice per month in late spring and summer. Once established, trees that are well-selected should require little or no watering other than that provided by rainfall, but ensure they get adequate watering during periods of low rainfall or drought. Actual water needs depend on factors like soil type and species.Water perennials and vines well in the first growing season after planting. One rule of thumb is to water with a one-hour trickle at least once per week using a soaker hose for the first three weeks, barring a good rainfall, and subsequently during hot dry weather. Afterwards, perennials selected to match site conditions should need little or no supplemental watering. If you notice wilting or browning on your perennials, water to a depth of 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in.) to help restore the plant's turgidity and vigour.Apply a layer of mulch about 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 in.) deep over the soil surface of the garden to retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, control erosion and suppress weeds. Wood chips, bark and crushed rock are just a few of the materials that can be used as mulch.Use a soaker hose placed at the base of plants, rather than using a sprinkler. This will help to apply water to the soil and roots ?rather than the leaves ?and reduce evaporation (see Figure 1).Grass under your tree competes with the tree's roots for water. Remove the lawn and apply mulch instead which helps to retain water.