When sprucing up your front or backyard, consider xeriscaping. This landscape method uses low-water-use plants to limit your…

Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.

Minimize or eliminate the use of waterfalls and sprays in your pool. Aeration increases evaporation.

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

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

Hire a qualified pro to install your irrigation system and keep it working properly and efficiently.

Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps…

Report broken pipes, leaky hydrants and errant sprinklers to property owners or your local water provider.

Wash your pets outdoors, in an area of your lawn that needs water.

Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those that spray water into the air.

Consider attending a landscape class hosted by a water provider. Most workshops occur in the spring and fall.

If installing a lawn, select a lawn mix or blend that matches your climate and site conditions.

Let your lawn go dormant (brown) during the winter. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three…

Set water softeners for a minimum number of refills to save both water and chemicals, plus energy, too.

Use 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons…

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