Water Smart Outdoors

Rain Gauge
A healthy lawn does not require a lot of water. Proper watering encourages deep root growth and helps retain moisture deep within the soil. Insert the rain gauge with the pointed edge pushed firmly into the ground to the base of the gauge. Measure and record the rainfall for the week. If there's been less than one inch, make up the difference by watering with your sprinkler attached to a water timer. The gauge can also be used in conjunction with a sprinkler to measure watering time. Record the time it takes for the gauge to fill up with 1/2 " of water and use this time for future waterings.

Timer
Water timers regulate the amount of water used by the hose. You can preset your water timer to deliver a half inch of water, twice a week, in two half hour watering sessions. Water timers go between the outdoor tap and the garden hose, and have a dial with both an on/off setting and a slow shut-off feature.

Soaker Hose
Soaker hoses use 70 per cent less water than traditional watering methods. A soaker hose has tiny punctures in it that distribute water evenly through lawns and gardens. Soaker hoses reduce water loss from run-off and evaporation because they are laid flat on the ground close to the soil. They are excellent for watering flower beds and vegetable gardens.