The process of gardening is as tedious as it is rewarding. However, with these tips you can decrease your costs while helping to cut back on the water your garden consumes.
• Choose shrubs, gravel or other instead of lawn for difficult to water areas, such as steep inclines and isolated strips.
• Adjust sprinklers so that you only water your lawn, not the house, sidewalk or street.
• Water during the evening to avoid evaporation losses, the plants will thank you!
• Do not water your lawn on windy days, since most of the water evaporates or is blown away.
• Put a layer of gravel (mulch of leaves and straw) around plants, it retains moisture, saves water, time and money.
• Check for possible leaks in outdoor appliances: taps, hoses, water pumps.Use a broom instead of a hose to clean the sidewalk and driveway.
• Adjust the size of the lawn mower to a highest program. The highest program maintains soil moisture better…
• Collect water from your roof to water your garden.
• Reduce the lawn in your garden with shrubs, gravel and other, according to the region where you live.
• When adding or replacing a plant in your garden, choose one with low water use and that lasts all year. It will save up to 550 gallons each year
• Aerate the lawn at least once a year so that water can reach the roots rather than staying on the surface.
Call the Madison Water Utility Line at 608-266-4651