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Outdoor tips

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With approximately 60 percent of Southern Nevada's water used outdoors, it's important to ensure you're managing your outdoor water use efficiently. Learn how to keep your landscape healthy, while keeping your water use to a minimum.

Spring weather tips

Don't crank up your landscape watering as soon as temperatures get warmer—in early spring, grass, trees and plants don't need as much water as we tend to think. In March and April, gradually increase your watering schedule from one to three days as temperatures warrant.

Compacted soils

  • Aerate at least twice a year to minimize compacted soils, which can stress your lawn.
  • If you notice an area that is particularly dry, add a tablespoon of liquid soap to a gallon of water and drench the dried area. This breaks down the surface tension of the grass.

Grass

Each time you mow the lawn, change directions and set your mower to the proper height (2 ½ - 3 inches for tall fescue and ¾ - 1 ½ inches for Bermuda) to promote a healthy lawn and to reduce water use.

When to water

  • Water overnight or around dawn to minimize the amount of water lost to evaporation. For example. 5, 6, and 7 a.m. And remember to add watering days gradually as temperatures get hotter. Start with three to four days in May, then increase watering days to five or six as needed in June, July and August.
  • Use these drip irrigation tips and sprinkler irrigation tips to get the most from your water.

Plant selection

Choose native plants that are meant for the arid Southern Nevada climate and require less water and maintenance. There are a variety of low-maintenance plants which will add both color and vibrance to your landscape. Bermuda and other warm-season grasses require about one-third less water than tall fescue grass.

Year-round tips

  • Use a drip irrigation system to water trees and shrubs and water appropriately. Experts agree that running drip irrigation less frequently is much better for plants than daily watering.
  • Fine tune watering times for each station to account for different watering requirements due to exposure, shade, and sprinkler output.
  • Adjust your irrigation clock seasonally and comply with mandatory watering restrictions. Consider upgrading to a smart irrigation clock, if you haven't already.
  • Check your sprinkler system once a week. Replace or repair broken or missing sprinklers.
  • Once a month, check your drip irrigation system for breaks or clogs.
  • Arrange sprinklers so that the spray of one sprinkler reaches the head of the sprinkler closest to it. Remove any obstructions and level sprinklers to grade to prevent spray blockage or tripping hazards. Ensure sprinklers aren't spraying walls, driveways, or sidewalks.
  • Water shady areas about 30 percent less than sunny areas.