As we enter the spring growing season, we do not usually hear much about water conservation here in East Texas. Because of a shortage of rainfall in recent years, our water supplies are beginning to get low. As gardeners, we should always be aware of how we use our water and make the most efficient use of our water.
Around most households, our largest usage of water is on our lawns. In fact, the people who monitor such activities say that 35% of our water bills is our lawn watering. So how can we conserve water when our lawns are so expensive? For sure we don't want to lose our lawns. How many people water every day? How often do our sprinklers come on after a rain or during a rain?
On most of our soils in East Texas, one or two inches of water every two weeks in the spring and fall, one or two inches per week in the summer, and one or two inches per month in the winter will be sufficient.
So why do we not turn our sprinkler systems to manual and water only when our lawns tell us they watering? If we do this, we will save water and money also.
Remember that these experts say that in fifty years, our demand for water will exceed our supply. If you need any help to decide the best way to conserve at your home, you can call the Texas Cooperative Extension office for more information.
Bill Rash, Smith County Master Gardener
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