Trying to be Water-Wise? Every Drop Counts
With spring around the corner, seeing and saving green becomes a top priority. Warmer weather means the grass is growing and flowers are starting to bloom. It is time to focus on getting yards prepped and ready for summer, all the while saving water and money.
Did you know according to the EPA:
- more than nine BILLION gallons of water are used for lawn care every day
- as much as 50 percent is WASTED through inefficient watering
No matter where you live, water conservation is extremely important, especially in areas where drought conditions may be prevalent. Sprinkler and drip irrigation systems are two of the most efficient and economical ways to help get yard, flower beds and gardens looking their best.
Be Yard Smart and Consider these Top Water Saving Tips:
- Smart Move #1 – Don’t drown – The greatest waste of water comes from applying too much, too often. Water a few times for shorter periods and take 15-minute breaks. This will allow water to soak in and minimize runoff.
- Smart Move #2 – Watch the clock – The best time to water is between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. Mid-day watering is less efficient due to evaporation and windy conditions. Evening watering means leaves remain wet and can grow fungus.
- Smart Move #3 – Water only things that grow – If you are using a sprinkler, make sure to not water sidewalks and driveways. Sprinklers should spray large droplets of water to minimize evaporation and wind drift.
- Smart Move #4 – Divide by zones – Different plants need different amounts of water. By using separate irrigation zones, grass can be watered separately and more frequently than groundcovers, shrubs and trees.
- Smart Move #5 – Do routine inspections – Periodically check your sprinklers to make sure everything is working properly. A clogged head or a torn line can wreak havoc on your landscape and water bill.
- Smart Move #6 – Timing is everything – Adjust your irrigation system as the seasons and weather change. Or better yet, install the Rain Bird Smart Irrigation WiFi Timer. Turn on the Automatic Seasonal Adjust and the controller’s daily watering schedule will change based on the season as well as local weather, temperature and humidity. Automatic Seasonal Adjustments can reduce water usage by as much as 30 percent, conserving water and saving homeowners money all year long.
Want to incorporate some of these changes into your own landscape? And for free? Enter the Rain Bird Rain Delay Sweepstakes beginning March 22, 2017 (World Water Day) and running through May 1, 2017. The sweepstakes, Rain Bird’s Rain Delay, asks consumers to submit a photo or message – http://www.rainbird.com/RainDelaySweepstakes/ – sharing how they pass the time when caught in the rain—whether at a baseball game, golf outing, kids soccer game or just out running errands. Each week one random winner will receive the Smart Irrigation Timer. One grand prize winner will be awarded a $3,500 professionally-installed Rain Bird in-ground sprinkler system with multiple zones, drip irrigation and Rain Bird’s new WiFi Timer.