Save Water in your Backyard

[john]

Wise use of water for garden and lawn waterings not only helps protect the environment, but saves money and provides for optimum growing conditions. Simple ways of reducing the amount of water used for irrigation include growing xeriphytic species (plants that are adapted to dry conditions), mulching, adding water retaining organic matter to the soil, and installing windbreaks and fences to slow winds and reduce evapotranspiration.

Watering in the early morning before the sun is intense helps reduce the water lost from evaporation. Installing rain gutters and collecting water from downspouts also helps reduce water use.

[kymsolaris]

Here is an interesting article on ways to save water in your backyard:

Thursday, May 27, 2010
Last updated: Thursday May 27, 2010, 1:24 AM
Franklin Lakes - Oakland Suburban News

As water rates rise and environmental concerns grow, closer attention is being paid to ways to save on water usage.

The following information was provided by Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction.

With the hot and dry summer weather rapidly approaching, now is the ideal time for Bergen County property owners to take a good, hard look at their outdoor water usage. As water rates rise and people pay closer attention to a "greener" way of living, there are several steps homeowners can take to benefit both themselves and the environment.

First among these steps is to evaluate how and where water is being used on a property with an eye on finding significant ways to save on water usage. Water rates have increased and will continue to at a rate projected to be about three percent a year. Recent technology allows water usage to be significantly decreased while maintaining a quality landscape. An evaluation of a property's current system and equipment can determine what improvements can be made and the upgrades will pay for themselves within a few years. .

Among the various upgrades and the water savings that can be obtained:

* Installing a solar sync – essentially a sensor device to adjust timers through varying weather conditions – can save 10 to 40 percent in water usage during peak months

* Installing a soil moisture sensor, which, when placed in the soil to determine how wet or dry the soil is, can save 25 to 40 percent.

* Installing a "smart controller" that adjusts a system to operate most efficiently can save up to 25 to 40 percent in water costs.

* Converting mist spray zones to drip zones can save 20 to 40 percent.

* A rain sensor, which is a water saving device that shuts down a system when it is raining for a period of time, can save 10 to 20percent.

Inquiries may be directed to Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction at 201-891-1199 or visit [url=http://www.jacobsenlandscape.com]Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction[/url]

As water rates rise and environmental concerns grow, closer attention is being paid to ways to save on water usage.

The following information was provided by Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction.

With the hot and dry summer weather rapidly approaching, now is the ideal time for Bergen County property owners to take a good, hard look at their outdoor water usage. As water rates rise and people pay closer attention to a "greener" way of living, there are several steps homeowners can take to benefit both themselves and the environment.

First among these steps is to evaluate how and where water is being used on a property with an eye on finding significant ways to save on water usage. Water rates have increased and will continue to at a rate projected to be about three percent a year. Recent technology allows water usage to be significantly decreased while maintaining a quality landscape. An evaluation of a property's current system and equipment can determine what improvements can be made and the upgrades will pay for themselves within a few years. .

Among the various upgrades and the water savings that can be obtained:

* Installing a solar sync – essentially a sensor device to adjust timers through varying weather conditions – can save 10 to 40 percent in water usage during peak months

* Installing a soil moisture sensor, which, when placed in the soil to determine how wet or dry the soil is, can save 25 to 40 percent.

* Installing a "smart controller" that adjusts a system to operate most efficiently can save up to 25 to 40 percent in water costs.

* Converting mist spray zones to drip zones can save 20 to 40 percent.

* A rain sensor, which is a water saving device that shuts down a system when it is raining for a period of time, can save 10 to 20percent.

Inquiries may be directed to Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction at 201-891-1199 or visit [url=http://www.jacobsenlandscape.com]Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction[/url]

[IMG]http://media.northjersey.com/images/300*231/IrrigationPhoto_0521_bs_tif_.jpg[/IMG]

[littlegreenfairy]

Here is an article about a water conservation contest:

Save money, water in local conservation contest
Written by Administrator
Thursday, 17 June 2010 09:58

This summer, Pembroke Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church groups, garden clubs, baseball teams, neighborhoods, friends and anybody else who wants to team up are invited to join Pembroke’s Water Challenge, sponsored by the town of Pembroke in conjunction with the Greenscapes program at the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. The winning team will earn $500 for the charity of their choice and will learn some valuable water-saving tips during the challenge.

“We came up with idea of a summer water-conservation contest to draw attention to the fact that, in summer, water use generally doubles, just when droughts tend to occur,” said Debbie Cook, Greenscapes manager and North and South Rivers Watershed Association communications director. “Ironically, as we demand more water for activities like lawn watering, our reservoir levels can drop to very low levels, and streams often don’t have enough water to support migrating fish.”

Cook said participating in the challenge is simple.

“The Water Challenge basically is a contest between teams to see which team can use the least amount of water per person between July 15 and Sept. 30. The most water-conserving team will win $500 for the charity of their choice,” she said.

Teams can be any size beyond a minimum of five households. Individuals who want to participate can join the Greenscapes team.

Every few weeks during the contest, each team will receive water-saving tips to help lower water consumption.

“I think everyone will be a winner, whether they win the $500 or not, because they hopefully will all save money on their water bills,” Cook said.

To sign up or learn more about the Water Challenge, go to nsrwa.org and click on Water Challenge, or call Debbie Cook at 781-659-8168.

[Vegan]

Saving water can be done in many different ways. We can use the water from the last rinse when dish washing for watering the plants. Or use rain water to wash cars or windows. There are many ways to conserve water and we just have to be mindful about it.