Saving Water Outdoors

Whether you are watering your lawn, caring for your garden, or enjoying outdoor activities, seasonal changes can increase water use. Up to half of the water used for midday irrigation is lost to evaporation and runoff. These tips can help you save water outdoors all year long.

Spring

  • Check your irrigation system to make sure it waters evenly and is not overwatering. Learn more about irrigation system checkups and maintenance on our Irrigation Checkup page.
  • Make sure sprinklers are not spraying streets or sidewalks. Concrete does not need water!
  • Install a rain sensor so your system turns off during rainy weather.
  • Think about upgrading to a smart controller that adjusts watering based on current soil moisture and weather conditions.
  • Water only when needed. The best times to water are early morning or evening when it is cooler and less windy. This reduces water loss from evaporation.
  • Let soil dry between waterings to help plants grow deeper, stronger roots.
  • Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds to hold moisture and reduce weeds and soil erosion. Avoid piling mulch against tree trunks.
  • Consider redesigning your landscape with drought‑tolerant plants. Visit our Water-Saving Landscapes page to learn the Seven Steps to a Water-Wise Landscape.
  • If you travel, ask someone to check your irrigation system while you are away.

 

Summer

  • Keep checking your irrigation system for leaks or overwatering.
  • Adjust your irrigation timer to follow the current watering schedule.
  • Watering too often leads to shallow roots; watering less often helps roots grow deeper.
  • Use drip or micro‑irrigation in flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, and containers to reduce evaporation.
  • Start a compost bin using leaves, vegetable scraps, and twigs. Compost helps your soil hold more water and nutrients.
  • Let your grass go dormant in hot, dry months. Brown grass is normal and helps it survive summer.
  • Raise your mower blade to at least 2.5 to 3 inches for bermudagrass and 3 to 4 inches for tall fescue to help reduce the need for more water. 
  • Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation. If you lose more than 2 inches of water per week, you may have a leak. Watch for wet spots near the pool, air bubbles in pipes and liners, or chalky buildup on pipes. Suspect a leak? Try a DIY Bucket Test(PDF, 6MB) to confirm.
  • Wash your car on the grass or gravel so water soaks in instead of running into storm drains.
  • Use a bucket and a nozzle with an automatic shutoff to reduce water waste. Garden hoses can use 5 to10 gallons per minute.
  • Be weather aware. If you don’t have a rain sensor or smart controller, turn off your system when rain is expected.

 

Fall

  • Plants need less water in the fall, so adjust your irrigation schedule.
  • Think carefully about overseeding. While it can make your lawn green in winter, cool‑season grasses need more water.
  • If you are planting new sod or seed, apply for a short‑term watering variance. This allows daily watering for 30 days without risk of a citation.
  • Prepare for freezing weather: turn off water to outdoor systems, drain valves, and blow out irrigation lines if needed.
  • Disconnect, drain, and store garden hoses.
  • Review your water usage for sudden changes that could mean leaks.

Winter

  • Tree roots still grow in winter. During long dry periods, hand‑water trees about once a month.
  • Warm‑season grasses go dormant but still need some moisture. Water on warmer winter days if dry conditions continue.
  • Turn off sprinklers during freezing temperatures. Watering when it is freezing can cause icy hazards and may result in a fine.

 

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