By Gary Jones

Reducing water use in California is more important now than ever. State and local water restrictions are firmly in place as winter precipitation was below normal, providing no relief to our ongoing drought.

Instead of worrying, now is the time to take action. Noticias de Mission Valley readers will be able to ask questions and get answers via this column. Think of it as a community resource providing helpful tips and advice for your landscape, lawn and garden.

While state-mandated cutbacks are new, solutions to help homeowners and gardeners (green thumbs and novices alike) keep their lawns and gardens alive, use less water and stay looking beautiful are time-tested.

We can all meet watering guidelines by adjusting outdoor spaces to conserve water, providing a long-term water-efficient landscape and still maintain the beauty of our community. Research shows that Californians use up to 25 percent more water than they need, so watering less but more effectively is very important. Simple fixes such as repairing broken sprinklers, covering plant bases with mulch or adding compost to soil will help consumers save on water consumption.

For permanent solutions, California Certified Nursery Professionals (CCNP) and other certified landscape professionals can assist in water-wise landscape design and installation, including partial or full lawn replacements.

Here are 10 simple water-saving tips to follow so you can reduce your outdoor water use:

1. Mulch — Placing a layer of organic mulch on the soil surface around plants can save hundreds of gallons of water each year. Mulch prevents water evaporation and stops weeds from growing.
2. Repair and adjust sprinklers — Observe your sprinklers as they run. Adjust them as necessary to reduce overspray on sidewalks, roads and patios. Repair damaged sprinklers immediately. Check pipes for leaks as quick repairs and adjustments can save as much as 500 gallons each year.
3. Install a smart sprinkler controller — The latest technology can help reduce your water use and water bill dramatically. Wireless smart controllers activate sprinklers via computer based on current weather data and information about the specifics of your garden. Simply replace your automatic timer with a smart controller.
4. Add lots of compost to your soil — Adding store-bought or homemade compost to all of your planting beds and pots will decrease the amount of water needed. Clay soils that are amended with organic matter will accept and retain water better. Sandy soils improved with compost will have significantly better water absorption and retention.
5. Use trigger sprayers when hand-watering — Every hose should be equipped with a trigger sprayer so that no water is wasted when watering containers and the rest of your garden. Make sure to use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
6. Minimize water loss in pots — Use water-retentive Danish Potting Soil in containers for all plants needing regular or ample water. For plants requiring moderate to low water, use Edna’s Best Potting soil along with Soil Moist in containers. Soil Moist is a polymer that stores water for plants’ use as the soil dries.
7. Use organic fertilizers — Organic fertilizers slowly release nutrients into the soil at a natural rate that matches plants’ needs. With a slow, even feeding, there is no overabundance of soft green growth that chemical fertilizers produce. Thus, your plants need less water when fed organically.
8. Water deeper, but less often — Most gardens on automatic sprinkling systems in California are overwatered. Change your system to match local water district guidelines. You’ll have less evaporation and water will be deeper where roots can continue to access the water.
9. Change watering times with the seasons — Adjust your automatic system at least three times a year: July-October (highest frequency), November-March (lowest frequency) and April-June (somewhere in between). During periods of rain, turn automatic systems completely off.
10. Water early in the morning — Set your automatic sprinklers to run in the early morning and finish before 8 a.m. This will reduce evaporation and lessen the likelihood of water waste due to interference from winds. You’ll also find that it reduces plant disease and water damage.

Feel free to share any tips or questions you may have. We might just include them in an upcoming issue of Mission Valley News.

—Gary Jones is Chief Horticulturist at Armstrong Garden Centers. Email your drought and gardening questions to [email protected].