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Homeowners in Las Vegas have been busy tearing out their lawns, thanks to a $2 per-sq.-ft. incentive program. So far, 80 million sq. ft. of grass has been removed, with each foot saving up to 73 gal. of water annually. And local water authorities fly over a 475-sq.-mile area each year, snapping photos to map every remaining scrap of turf. Why all the fuss? Because lawns and gardens are a home's biggest water users--and that's true not just in Nevada, but nationwide. "Low-flow shower heads and toilets get more attention," says Ronnie Cohen, a Natural Resources Defense Council analyst in San Francisco, "but there are huge savings if people look carefully at what they're planting, and have a properly designed and installed irrigation system."

More From Popular Mechanics

Start turning the tap in your yard with these quick tips:

1. Smart Sprinkler

Install a new watering system. Rain Bird's $92 Simple To Set Timer provides independent control of zones, plus seasonal adjustments. Some systems even use real-time weather data to decide when to water.

2. Mower Height

Do away with the buzz cut once and for all. Set your lawnmower height to a lofty 3 in. Longer blades promote deeper root growth, allowing the soil to retain more moisture.

3. A New Swim Cap

A properly fitting cover can slow evaporation from your swimming pool, reducing water use by nearly 30 percent.

4. Drip. Drip. Drip.

For trees and flowerbeds, consider applying low-volume drip irrigation directly to the roots, which reduces waste, runoff and evaporation. The parts can cost less than $30. Also, water first thing in the morning (ideally before sunrise) to minimize evaporation.

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