Summer is here, and so is the heat. If you live in Salt Lake City, you know how dry and hot it can get in the summer months. You also know how important it is to conserve water, especially when the Great Salt Lake is shrinking and the drought is worsening. But how can you save water in your yard without sacrificing its beauty and health? Here are some tips and tricks that can help you achieve both goals.
1. Tune up your sprinklers
One of the easiest ways to save water in your yard is to make sure your sprinklers are working properly and efficiently. You can do this by checking for leaks, broken, clogged, or misaligned heads, and adjusting the pressure and timing of your sprinklers. You can also invest in a rain switch or a moisture sensor that can automatically turn off your sprinklers when it rains or when the soil is moist enough. According to Water Wise Utah, tuning up your sprinklers can save you up to 30% of water.
2. Aerate and overseed your lawn
Another way to save water in your yard is to improve the health and resilience of your lawn. You can do this by aerating and overseeding your lawn in the spring or fall. Aeration is the process of making small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. Overseeding is the process of adding new grass seeds to fill in the bare or thin spots in your lawn. These practices can help your lawn grow thicker, greener, and more drought-tolerant. An article from Utah State University Extension mentioned that aerating and overseeding your lawn can reduce your water use by up to 50%.
3. Diversify your landscape
Another way to save water in your yard is to diversify your landscape with plants that are suited for Utah’s climate and terrain. You can do this by choosing native or adapted plants that require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance than traditional turf grass. You can also group your plants according to their water needs and create different irrigation zones for them. You can also use mulch, rocks, or gravel to cover the soil and reduce evaporation. As mentioned in Localscapes, diversifying your landscape can save you up to 60% of water.
4. Be smart about watering
Another way to save water in your yard is to be smart about when and how much you water your plants. To keep your lawn healthy and conserve water, you can follow the [Slow The Flow] website’s weekly guide on how often you should water your lawn based on the weather and soil conditions. You can also use a rain gauge or a tuna can to measure how much water you are applying to your lawn, and aim for about an inch per week. You can also water early in the morning or late in the evening, when the temperatures are cooler and the winds are calmer, to avoid evaporation.
Saving water in your yard during this hot months in Salt Lake City is not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet and your lifestyle. By following these tips and tricks, you can have a beautiful and healthy yard that uses less water and requires less work. You can also enjoy the benefits of having more water for other purposes, such as drinking, cooking, bathing, or recreation.
So what are you waiting for? Don’t delay, start saving water today and make a positive impact for tomorrow!