Water smarts: Tips for using irrigation water more efficiently

Watering:

• Install rain sensors on sprinkler systems.
• Adjust irrigation timers according to seasonal needs.
• Detect and repair all leaks in irrigation systems.
• Water trees and shrubs, which have deep root systems, longer and less frequently than shallow-rooted plants which require smaller amounts of water more often.
• Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only — not the street or sidewalk.
• Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best). Do not water on windy days.
• Use properly treated wastewater for irrigation where available.
• Have system serviced regularly.

Maintaining:

• Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface and cut down on weed growth.
• Remove thatch and aerate turf to encourage movement of water to the root zone.
• Raise your lawn mower cutting height — longer grass blades help shade each other, cutting down on evaporation. They also inhibit weed growth.

Ornamental water features:

• Do not install or use ornamental water features unless they recycle the water.

Source: Landscape Ontario