Use this drought garden strategy to conserve water in any environment.

No matter where you live, conserving water helps you, the plants and our environment, too.

There are many things gardeners can do to conserve water. One that tops the list is to use plants that minimize water use. This is called “Xeriscaping”. Here’s how:

  1. Look for plants that survive on your average local rainfall. You may have to water during unusually dry periods, but they won’t need constant watering if Mother Nature cooperates.
  2. Let nature be your guide. Select native plants that are suitable for your growing conditions.
  3. Group plants by water needs. This saves time and water, concentrating your efforts to specific areas rather than individual plants scattered throughout the yard.
  4. Limit moisture-loving plants to high-visibility areas. This gives you the greatest impact for the water and effort.
  5. Improve your soil! Add compost and other organic material to improve water-holding capacity.
  6. Design landscapes that conserve water rather than waste it. Create windbreaks and shade structures that help reduce water loss.
  7. Mulch plantings with organic materials. This conserves moisture and reduces erosion.
  8. Let your lawn grow to its the tallest recommended height. Tall grass forms deeper roots and tolerates drought better.
  9. Let grass go dormant during drought. Believe it or not, it will bounce back once the rains come.
  10. Recycle water from downspouts and other areas. Many new water-collecting systems are designed to store water but keep out mosquitoes. Check with your municipality for any local restrictions.
  1. Lawrence Payte says

    If you live in some Western states, like Colorado for instance, it is illegal to capture and store rainwater I believe. I was reading an article about it a while back where a person in Colorado was actually fined for doing so :-(

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