Balanced Living – Water Conservation & Your Lawn

In an interesting fact about outdoor watering is that it accounts for almost half of the water used by the American home.  This creates the greatest single opportunity for conservation.

When most people hear the term Water Conservation there may be an immediate response that it is another term for an ugly looking lawn.  The truth is that you don’t have to sacrifice your lawn through this process and can still maintain a lush green look through smart watering.  Here are some easy ways provided by the Oregon State Water resource Department:

• Water early in the morning before 10:00 a.m.  Watering in the heat of the day allows the water to evaporate and watering late in the day may promote fungus and other lawn diseases.
• Depending on the weather, it’s generally better to water once a week and provide 1 inch to 1 ½ inches of water.  (If it’s hot, you might have to water more often.)
• Time how long it takes to apply one inch of water by placing a flat-bottomed can about 6-feet away from the sprinkler.
• Do not mow lawns too short; taller grass requires less water.

For those of you that live in dryer climates like Central Oregon, go to the City of Bend Water Conservation site.

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