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Summer landscape care with water conservation in mind Posted on July 7, 2020

Consider ways to maintain your landscaping while making the best use of precious water supplies, such as checking sprinkler heads regularly. Photo credit: Texas Water Development Board

There is no doubt that the summertime heat in Texas is the stuff of legend. Many of us have heard of (or maybe even tried) frying an egg on the sidewalk in July. And while it is not likely that a swimming pool ever boiled or an ice cream truck ever melted from the heat, a Texas summer can definitely wreak havoc on the landscape. 

Not surprisingly, this summer is shaping up to be dry and hot for most of the state. According to The Texas Water Development Board’s latest Water + Weather Report, June rainfall was generally below average across Texas. In the Panhandle in particular, drought has intensified significantly. At the end of June, about one quarter of the state was suffering from some sort of drought.

The outlook for temperatures this summer is also not surprising. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecasted a hotter-than-average summer across most of the United States. Without significant rainfall, this summer could rank as one of the hottest Texas summers.

High temperatures and lack of rainfall can stress plants and create real challenges for maintaining a healthy landscape. At the same time, outdoor water use can account for more than 30 percent of a home’s total water use. Fortunately, there are water-responsible ways to encourage and maintain a healthy and aesthetically pleasing landscape and lawn. Before you begin soaking your plants with water from the hose and sprinklers, consider ways to maintain your landscaping while making the best use of precious water supplies.

The Texas Water Development Board checklist for maintaining a healthy, water-wise landscape during summer:

  1. Plant native plants and grasses

Plant water-efficient, well-adapted, and/or native shrubs, trees, and grasses. Choose plants that are drought and heat tolerant and can survive the minimum winter temperatures in your area. In odd-shaped planting areas, use drought-tolerant groundcover instead of grass.

  1. Use mulch

Mulch is a protective ground cover that reduces evaporation of soil moisture, helps maintain uniform soil temperatures, reduces soil erosion, controls weeds, and, in the case of organic mulches, enriches the soil.

  1. Only water in early morning and at night, and follow local watering restrictions

A good time to water all landscaping is early morning or late evening when winds are calmer and temperatures are lower, resulting in less water loss to evaporation. It’s important to give leaf surfaces time to dry before nightfall to deter disease and decay. Also, be sure to follow your city’s local watering restrictions. The water used to maintain landscaping is the same water that comes out of your faucet, and cities put watering restrictions in place to preserve their water supply.

  1. Manage in-ground irrigation

Avoid leaving an in-ground irrigation system on an automatic setting. Instead, adjust the system manually according to rain events and seasonal fluctuations. Ensure that water is being applied where it is needed and in the amount that is needed. A good rule is to wet the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches to reach the root system of the plants.

  1. Check your sprinkler heads

The best type of sprinkler for lawns is one that produces large drops of water close to the ground. Don’t use a sprinkler that produces a mist or fine spray. Check sprinkler heads regularly to make sure they are working properly and have the right water pressure.

More resources

To explore more resources and tips on water use and conservation, visit the Texas Water Development Board’s water conservation resource page at www.twdb.texas.gov/publications/brochures/conservation.

This article is posted in Drought / Water Supply / Conservation .