Save Water Outdoors This Spring

Spring is here and it's time to get outdoors and enjoy the nice weather. Warmer days makes washing the car seem like less of a chore. Gardening is a peek interest and friends and family get together to cookout. Oh, the joys of Spring! While you’re spending extra time outdoors over the next few months, be mindful of ways you can save water. Using less water leads to a lower water bill and a happier environment...

Choose low maintenance plants for your landscape. Low maintenance plants require less water than other plants to survive. Choose sustainable plants that are pest and drought tolerant. The summer months can be very hot and dry in Georgia, but the less often you have to water them, the better. Make sure you take environmental variables into consideration, such as how much sun or shade the area sees, the type of soil (or red clay) you'll be planting in, and the amount of space needed for the plants to prosper. Do your research before you purchase and start digging.

Use a shut-off nozzle on the end of your hose to keep unnecessary water from flowing. You can pick one of these up from your local hardware store for a couple bucks. Fill a bucket with water and use a sponge to wash your car. Then all you have to do is rinse.

Maximize your sprinklers. Position them to cover your most valuable assets- your lawn, plants, flowers, and shrubs. Watering your driveway or sidewalk does nothing but waste water and jip your greenery.

Plant during the Spring and Fall when plants require less water to get settled in. It's also best to water during the early hours of the morning and in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

Put a layer of organic mulch around trees and plants to reduce water evaporation and keep the ground cool. Using the right mulch will give you a healthier landscape and fewer weeds too!

Clean up wisely. Use an outdoor broom or blower to tackle cleanup jobs. If it's a messy job and you must use a hose, then fine, but according to the EPA, washing off your driveway or sidewalk with a hose uses about 50 gallons of water every 5 minutes.

There are several other ways to reduce water usage outside. You can look into installing a water-efficient irrigation system, you can mow less often, aerate your lawn in the spring to better absorb water, and don't over water your lawn.

Fun tip: Take advantage of the weather when it comes to outdoor activities for your children. Let them play in the sprinkler while you are watering the grass, or let them play with sidewalk chalk if you are expecting rain later on that evening. You won't have to worry about hosing off your driveway. The rain will wash it away for you.

Now go enjoy the springtime!