Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.

Use a trowel, shovel, or soil probe to examine soil moisture depth. If the top two to three…

Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won’t run when it’s raining.

Set a kitchen timer when using the hose as a reminder to turn it off. A running hose…

Pruning properly can help your plants use water more efficiently.

Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it.

Look for WaterSense® labeled irrigation controllers.

Spring is a great time to give your irrigation system a checkup to ensure it’s working efficiently.

Signs of overwatering: Leaves turn lighter shades of green or yellow, young shoots wilt, and sometimes algae or…

Don’t water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.

Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots, where it’s needed.

Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops and mist often evaporate…

Water dry spot by hand instead of running the whole irrigation system longer.

Read the Landscape Watering by the Numbers guidebook to help you determine how long and how much to water.

Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case of malfunctions or rain.

For hanging baskets, planters and pots, put ice cubes on top of the soil to give your plants…