Save Water with Your Home’s Landscaping
With high temperatures and scorching heat filling the Sacramento valley, finding ways to conserve water throughout your home is a great way to save water and money. Learning how you can conserve water with the landscape of your home can be an easy maintenance practice whether you live in the Sacramento region or anywhere else!
During this summer season, pay attention to the way that you use water in your landscape, plants, and other outdoor areas - you might be surprised. If you need some tips and tricks on how to save water with your home’s landscaping, here are 5 easy tips:
- Learn Your Plants: Can you name every plant, shrub, or tree that is in your yard? If you can’t, don’t stress! However, it might be helpful to understand the differences between each of your plants so that you can care for them properly. Some plants might be more susceptible to water stress while others thrive with very little water. Trees and plants that bear food like nuts, vegetables, and fruit are a higher priority when watering, unlike other large mature trees that need little water. The best time to water your plants is early morning because the cooler temperatures cause less water to evaporate, keeping the soil healthy and moist.
- Consider Low Water Alternatives: An important factor that every homeowner should consider when choosing plants for landscape is the location of your home. A flower that blooms beautifully in Southern California might not survive the heat of the Arizona desert, so consider plants that are right for your area’s climate. Additionally, there are also plenty of low water alternatives that are ideal options for your home’s landscape and can help conserve water all year long. For example, if you are looking for a plant that requires little water, go for a native plant and other drought-tolerant species which can be found at your local nurseries. If you want to cut down even more on your water usage, consider swapping out your lawn with artificial turf. With artificial turf, you keep the bright aesthetic of a lawn without the hassle of watering every day.
- Use an Adjustable Sprinkler: Sprinklers are a great tool that many homeowners use to water their landscape. However, damaged or broken sprinklers can lead to lots of wasted water. Be sure to check your sprinklers every season to ensure they are directing water to the right areas and to avoid any wasteful runoff. Consider adding an adjustable sprinkler to specific areas in your yard that need water the most. Whether placed near certain fruit trees, plants, or flowers, an adjustable sprinkler is a perfect alternative that allows you to control and save water.
- Improve Your Soil: Soil is like food to your plants! When it is planted with healthy soil that is durable, it allows the soil to better absorb water and deepen its roots. Depending on the type of soil that is used, that will determine how often you should water your plants. For example, clay soils may only need to be watered once a week but sandy soils would need to be watered two or three times a week. So, when you understand each of your plants, you understand the importance of the soil, and when you know the soil.
- Sweep Trash, Don’t Hose: Summer is a perfect opportunity to deep clean all throughout your home, especially the exterior! Ditch the power washer this season, and grab an outdoor broom to sweep and clean your driveways and sidewalks. Believe it or not, using your hose or power washer for an extended amount of time can take up hundreds of gallons of water!
For homeowners in the Greater Sacramento area looking to repair or need assistance with their landscape, Good Life Construction is here for you. Our skilled team offers a variety of services and look forward to making sure your home is secure and well-maintained all year long. If you would like to learn more about our services, visit our website at www.GoodLifeConstruction.com or call us today at (916) 884-6132.