Sprinkler system, mulchHow to save money watering your lawn and trees

5 Ways to Save Money Watering Your Lawn and Trees

Sprinkler system, mulch and grass depicting how to save money watering your lawn and trees

Are you looking to save money watering your lawn and trees?

These days everyone wants to cut back on their spending. Water use for most homeowners increases dramatically during the summer months.

While we all love the way lush green lawns and landscaping look, the money it costs to get there can make your head spin.

Let’s talk about five ways to care for your lawn and trees while not completely emptying your wallet.

Money Saving Tips: Save Money Watering Your Lawn and Trees 

#1. Water Conservation

Let’s start saving money by saving water. There are several ways of doing this. By using two tips, you will use less water.

Beware of the Evaporative Zone or the top 8 inches of soil. Getting water below those first 8 inches will help your soil to maintain moisture. Adding three inches of compost to your garden and working it into the top 8 inches of soil helps your soil retain the most water.

Manure is a second-best aid to your soil’s water retention. According to Colorado State University, for every one percent of increase in organic matter in your soil, you will increase the water retention by three quarts per cubic foot. So adding compost won’t just feed your plants, it helps to water them too.

The way you plant can have a significant impact on how much water you use. If you plant your garden more densely, it will create more shade on the soil below, helping it to retain water.

Likewise, keeping your garden weeded will keep out plants which would compete with your garden plants for water.

Mulch is an excellent insulator and should be used in combination with these other methods for conserving water in your garden. Below, you will find an overview of the best kinds of and uses for mulch.

Mulch Basics

As you know, mulch is any substance applied to the top of the soil to increase water retention and cut down on weeds. In some cases, mulch can also help to enrich the soil. The way mulch helps your soil to retain water is by blocking the sun, which evaporates water from your soil. This keeps your soil cooler.

Types of Mulch

Mulch can be inorganic – like a layer of plastic, rubber, fabric, or crushed rock. You may not think of these things as mulch, but they act similarly as organic matter but without some of the added benefits. Inorganic mulch may be helpful for hard-to-reach areas, or areas with high foot traffic.

Organic mulch could be wood chips, shredded bark, sawdust or compost. The great thing about organic mulch is that as it breaks down over time, it adds nutrients to the soil. Organic mulch is more effective at helping the earth retain moisture over time than compost since compost breaks down more quickly.

How to apply mulch most effectively

Apply a layer of mulch 1-2 inches deep. Any more than that will suffocate your plants and keep water from getting in. A fabric or plastic layer can end up keeping water out along with the sun’s drying powers. Organic mulch is best at striking a happy medium to allow air to circulate and water to come in while keeping the soil moist.

#2. Know When to Water

Watering at night will cause mold. However, watering during the middle of the day will burn your grass out from reflection.

So when is the best time to water your lawn?

Water your grass at dawn and dusk. By doing this, you will make sure that water will get to the root zone and evaporation will be reduced. Watering at the right time of day will ensure that you save water and money.

#3. Enjoy the Rain

One way to make your sprinkler system more efficient is to watch the forecast and know when it is going to rain. Turn off your sprinkler system when it is raining.

This may be elementary, but have you ever seen sprinklers working when it is raining? It is redundant to water your lawn while it is raining outside.

You can also make the most of the rain you get by installing a rainwater collection system. Your roof and gutter system is an excellent thing to use for this purpose.

#4. Planting for Low-water Gardening

Choose to plant low-water perennials. Drought tolerant and extremely drought tolerant plants abound.

Many of these perennials will thrive on the amount of rainfall you get in your growing season and look great the whole time. Make sure your area of the country doesn’t get too much rain for the plants you choose.

Replacing your grass with wildflowers and grasses is another trick for keeping color and beauty in your yard without needing a sprinkler system.

Read this series of posts on how to create your own wildflower meadow. Replacing even part of your lawn with a patch of native flowers and grasses can cut down on expenses for many years to come.

Plant a wicking bed or keyhole garden. There are some smart ways to grow garden veggies without breaking the bank even in extreme drought. These clever planting systems use much less water to accomplish the same lush garden.

If you, like many Americans, still want a verdant lawn, you can plant low-water grass in place of the variety you have, if your yard is currently a water guzzler.

Low-water grass varieties include:

  • Bluestem Enviro-Turf
  • Fleur de Lawn
  • UC Verde Buffalo Grass
  • Pearl’s Premium
  • Eco-Lawn

#5. Install Direct-to-root Watering System for Trees, Shrubs, and Plants

Rootwell Pro-318 Deep Root Watering System

Rootwell Pro-318 Direct-to-root Watering System

Rootwell Products Inc. offers an innovative and scientifically proven product that is going to save you money. This product is our Rootwell Pro-318 direct-to-root watering system for trees.

When you have Pro-318s installed around each tree, rain water or irrigation water collects naturally in the “wells.” You can also water your trees manually.

The Rootwell direct-to-root watering system is a permanent solution for droughts, as well as poor soil conditions and difficult planting conditions. The system works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week actively encouraging a vigorous and healthy root system for your trees.

In addition, Rootwell’s Root Starter Sticks work great for watering shrubs and plants.

Bringing it Home

You will be able to save money watering your lawn and trees with these tips. With Rootwell Products Inc. products, your landscape and trees will not have to suffer. You can protect the investment you have made in your landscaping.

Please visit our Retail Store to see all of our products.

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3 comments

  • Sharron Thornhill September 1, 2019  

    Fairly new to gardening need all the help I can get!

  • Sharron Thornhill September 1, 2019  

    New to gardening and need help.

    • Rootwell Products Inc. September 3, 2019  

      Hi Sharron,
      Welcome to the amazing world of gardening! We have a number of articles that will help you get started.

      Best of luck, and thank you for stopping by!
      ~ Jeff