Conserve Water

Water is a precious resource in California, since most Californians live and farm in areas that receive sparse annual rainfall. Of the water used by the typical suburban home, more than half is used on landscaping. Since 30 percent of that is lost due to overwatering or evaporation, the opportunity for water conservation is significant.

In an effort to promote the efficient use of water in the landscape, the Regional Water Authority (RWA — representing the interests of most of the water providers in the Sacramento Region) created the Blue Thumb program.

RWA's Be Water Smart website has a lot of useful information on creating water efficient gardens — check out Water Smart Gardening.

Making the most efficient use of water in your landscape starts with making the most of the water you provide to your existing plants:

• Water according to need — consider what plants need based on the weather, soil type, sun exposure, and slope.
• Make every drop count — fix leaking, broken, and misaligned sprinklers in your irrigation system. Water plants deeply and early in the day.
• Request an irrigation audit — schedule a FREE irrigation audit from your local water supplier (many provide this service).
• Mulch around your plants — mulch conserves water by reducing evaporation.

	Inline emitters are much more efficient than overhead sprayers.

If you have the opportunity to create a new landscape or renovate an old one, consider the following in your design:

• Group plants by water needs (called hydrozoning) — plants vary a great deal in their need for water. Group plants by their water needs and place each group on its own irrigation valve.
• Use California natives or Mediterranean plants — Many California natives, as well as many Mediterranean species, tolerate dry summers with little or no water once they are established.
• Minimize the lawn — Lawns use a lot more water than other landscape areas.
• Design and install high efficiency irrigation systems — drip systems are generally more efficient than overhead sprinklers because they minimize overspray, evaporation, and runoff. Plants are healthier because the water is applied more closely to plant root zones.

Resources

• Regional Water Authority (RWA) —
  • Rules of Thumb for Water-Wise Gardening
  • Water-Wise Gardening — online database of over 1,800 plants, garden tours for design ideas, a garden gallery, water conservation tips, and landscape design and maintenance.
  • www.BeWaterSmart.info — learn more about conserving water in the landscape
  • Water Efficiency Program (WEP) includes 18 water providers in Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado counties and the city of West Sacramento, who have pooled resources to educate customers about using water wisely.
• SaveOurH2o.org — statewide water awareness campaign
• WaterSense — an EPA partnership program for water conservation education
• UC Davis All-Stars — 100 plants selected by UC Davis Arboretum for use in your landscape
• City of Roseville — Water Efficient Landscape (WEL) Gardens in the Sacramento Region
• UCCE Sacramento Master Gardeners — Water Efficient Landscape Gardens