Landscaping Practices for Water Saving

Watering Tips
To help you create a water efficient landscape, here are some great watering tips that you can use throughout the entire North Carolina growing season. These practices will not only save you money on your water bills, but will help the environment and provide you with a healthy landscape for years to come.

• The most efficient time to water is between 10 pm and 8 am, when it is cooler and less windy, minimizing evaporation.
• Irrigate thoroughly, but as infrequently as possible. Check for wilting throughout your landscape. Turf will begin to hold footprints or change to a dull grayish color when it needs water.
• Different plants require varying amounts of water, depending on size and type:
• Small shrubs need 5 gallons water/ week; large shrubs need 10 gallons/week
• Trees need 2 gallons per inch diameter (measured at 4.5' above the ground)/week
• Flower beds need 5 gallons of water/10 sq. ft. (1 minute of water at medium pressure)
• Lawns require about 1/2-1" water per week, depending on the grass type
• High-use turf areas may need more frequent irrigation. Automatic irrigation systems should be designed with separate zones for turf and plant bed areas to ensure you do not overwater.
• Every newly installed landscape takes time to establish and flourish. New turf often requires daily watering, while new trees and shrubs may need watering once or twice a week depending, on rainfall and local temperatures. During hot, dry conditions, plants often require more regular watering.
• When hand watering, use a water breaker on the end of your hose to distribute an even, gentle mist to the base of the plants. Use 5-gallon buckets with small holes in the bottom, use watering bags and soaker hoses or professionally install automatic drip systems. Apply water at the root zone (base of the plant). On average, drip systems use 50% less water than sprinkler systems.
• To prevent excess runoff, do not apply too much water. This will likely exceed your soil's ability to absorb the water. Instead, apply water over a longer period in smaller amounts. For directions on how to determine how much water you are applying, consult a Hick's Landscaping professional.
• Ensure that your automatic irrigation system has a rain sensor to turn off system when sufficient rain has fallen. Have your irrigation system evaluated semi-annually to prevent water waste. You don't want to waste money by watering the sidewalk, driveway or neighbor's yard!
• Decide before summer whether you plan to water your turf or let it go dormant. Letting grass go brown and then watering to green it up again can rob it of energy reserves, reducing the quality and strength of the lawn. Either watering regularly or letting it go into dormancy are your best options.
• Vacations offer a unique distress, particularly during the summer. Have a friend or neighbor tend to your plants and lawn while you are away.
• Each plant type has a unique rooting area. Thoroughly water the root zone for that particular plant type and then let it partially dry out before watering again. A heavy rain means you do not have to worry about watering for at least a week.
• Plants in containers may need more frequent watering than plants in the ground, because they are unable to absorb nutrients and water from the soil. First, make sure the containers have drainage holes to prevent overly wet roots! Water when soil surface feels dry, not before. Frequency and amount depend on soil type, location, sunlight available, temperature and type of plant. Most containers only need a thorough watering once or twice a week.
• Don't overwater! Many plants that are overwatered will wilt or the leaves will turn brown. This often leads us to water even more. Follow the guidelines presented here. If in doubt, stick your fingers in the soil, under the mulch, and check the soil wetness. Only water if this soil feels dry.