Looking around outdoors...

A green living tip recently stated that automatic sprinklers are wasteful. While this may be true they are also the most effective for watering a large area, keeping a water routine that is successful for a busy family, and saving your landscape investment.

So how can we waste less water?

1. Check your system. Make sure all heads are in good working order. Adjust the heads so that minimal water is hitting pavement and walkways. 

2. Set your system. Set the timers to come on in the early morning hours. You will loose less water to evaporation and reduce leaf damage, sod rot, and plant distress due to water sitting on plants too long in the evenings.  If your system has the option to cycle, set the system to cycle 4-5 minutes then to have a 30 minute delay and then run again for 4-5 minutes.  Less time used and more effective watering. The water will have time to soak into the plant and allow for deeper watering and root coverage than watering for a long solid period of time. Adjust areas to water more often for flower beds only or hand water these areas when a little extra water is needed. Not all your outdoor areas need the same water needs so walk around and evaluate the areas that need more or less water.

3. Rain Sensor. - Most modern systems allow for a rain sensor, although many sprinkler installers seldom will install this without a specific request.  Installing a rain sensor avoids water waste because it will bypass your settings on rainy days.  What better savings than not using your system when it's not needed!

4. Let your grass grow taller. - Allowing your grass to grow an inch taller in summer during high heat times will require less water usage to maintain it.  Scalping the lawn or mowing it really short requires more water to promote growth and encourage new seed production.

5. Mulch - Add mulch to your flower beds and around young trees.  Adding peat moss and mulch will give your plants a natural cover to retain moisture and protect from extreme temperature changes. Mulch should be at least 2-3" thick. Mulch is constantly breaking down and adding to the nutrients of your plants so reapplying occassionally is necessary. 

6. Use native plants - Using native plants that are well adapted and proven to the soil and climate of your area will ensure less water usage.  Talk to local growers and nurseries to find the best options for bushes, trees, and perenials for your area that are hardy and native to our part of Texas.

These are a few ways to keep your investment of your lawn, shrubs, trees and flowers looking their best without using excessive amounts of water.

On another note:

The bugs are out & about! While bugs are necessary for plants and have their purpose in nature they can be a nuiscance around your home or while dining al fresco.

Mosquitos - Make sure to empty containers of any standing water, add window screen to your home vents and to your septic vent.  Even during the hot dry days of summer, sprinklers can pool water in buckets, low areas in your yard, etc., so check these areas a few times a week to make sure you dump out any standing water or add some sand and soil mix to level out low areas to improve water drainage. If your yard has a natural drain area and their has been extra rain fall this area may hold water for several days before finally drying out. Mosquito donuts sold at most home improvement areas will keep mosquiotos from nesting in these areas. Also make sure any pet water, bird baths, fountains or swimming pools are properly maintained. Outdoor water bowls, play poools and bird baths should have their water changed daily.  Pour the old water on plants to use the water most effectively and replace with fresh clean water.  Swimming pools and Fountains should have a pump that cycles the water and creates constant movement.  Set the timer on your pumps to run a minimum amount of time (outdoor fountains and hour, swimming pools 6-8 hours) during the mosquito season.

Flies - Pick up any animal feces on a regular basis. Keeping the lawn free of pet manure will discourage fly breeding.  Use fly traps near your outdoor patio and seating areas to control the amount of flies in those areas. When dining outdoors hang a clear plastic bag with a single copper penny around food areas and doorways.  This will naturally deter flies from those areas.

Bees & Wasp, oh my - A necessary nuiscance! Yes they keep our flowers, trees and shrubs blooming but can be a major distraction and danger when the family wants to enjoy the great outdoors.  Clear your home eves, corners and trees of nests.  Keeping the nests away from your home will keep the bees and wasp from collecting in large numbers around your personal space.  Hang wasp and bee catchers around the yard.  DO NOT hang them close to your space.  Use garden hooks or hang the catchers in trees away from your personal outdoor dining and seating areas. These traps use attractants that will draw the insects to them and then trap them but for safety you want to hang the catchers away from the area you will be relaxing in.  Also a cather is only as useful as it is maintained. Clean out your catchers weekly and replace the attractant of choice in the catcher. Or use disposable catchers and replace them when they are full. 

Grass Hoppers, Beatles, and things that crawl - use diatemaceous earth, kaolin clay, and a spray bottle filled with garlic, a few drops of dish soap & water to help control and protect bushes, and flower beds near your outdoor entertainment areas and to experience less of the things that creep and crawl when you want to have fun outdoors!


These are just a few outdoor friendly ideas. Hope they are useful to you. Please feel free to share your successful tips!