2 min read
Did you know that in the summer months municipal water use doubles here in Ottawa? From swimming pools and car washes, to lawn and garden maintenance, August is a wet and wild month in the city. Unfortunately, this increased demand for water places stress on municipal water systems and increases costs for tax payers and water users. In fact, it isn't uncommon for some municipalities to declare water restrictions during periods of extreme heat. When water becomes a hot commodity in your neighbourhood, don't despair. The following water-saving tips from the lawn sprinkler system installers at Nutri-Lawn Ottawa will help your property cope with drought-like conditions.
General Ways to Improve Your Watering System
Much of the summer peak demand for water can be traced back to lawn and garden maintenance. The inefficient application of water to flower beds and yards can result in significant water wastage thanks to over-watering, evaporation, and run-off. The following are some general watering tips that will help enhance the efficiency of your residential sprinkler system and improve the overall irrigation of your lawn.
- Before setting your lawn sprinkler system, always take into account the amount of water that Mother Nature has supplied your property recently. Leave a measuring container in your yard to help monitor the amount of rainfall. For a more accurate record of local rainfall, consider installing a new weather-sensing residential sprinkler system from Nutri-Lawn. These technologically-savvy set-ups use weather-tracking technology to adjust your sprinkler system in real-time, providing your lawn with the perfect dose of water every time.
- Upgrade your irrigation system. If you rely on a soaker hose to keep your garden looking lush all summer long, now could be the time to consider upgrading to a more advanced lawn and garden sprinkler system. Drip and trickle garden irrigation systems are extremely efficient because they deliver water slowly and directly to the roots of the plant, and not the leaves. If you're interested in alternative garden watering options for your property ask a Nutri-Lawn residential sprinkler system installer for information on their garden-specific irrigation designs.
- Choose plants and grasses that are well suited to the local climate and your soil conditions. For a water-saving lawn, the residential sprinkler system experts at Nutri-Lawn recommend choosing a species of grass that is best suited to the rainfall levels in your region. The more specific you are about your grass seed, the less maintenance you can anticipate performing throughout the summer growing season. Most low maintenance lawns are made up of a diverse mix of hardy, drought-tolerant, and slow-growing mid-height turf, fescues, and broadleaf grasses.
Cut Back on Unnecessary Water Usage
Lawn and garden watering isn't the only outdoor activity that contributes to increased summer water usage. The following are a few simply tasks that will help you conserve more water.
- Use a broom instead of a hose to remove debris and dirt from paved surfaces such as driveways or interlocking brick.
- When washing your car, use a bucket and sponge rather than a hose in order to avoid excess water usage.
- Cover swimming pools when they are not in use in order to reduce evaporation.
- Install a rain barrel in order to collect water that can be used to irrigate planters and other areas of your property.
An established, healthy lawn normally requires about 2.5 centimetres of water per week to thrive, depending of course on the climate and temperature. If you're using more than this, it's time to consider installing a new irrigation system. For more information on residential sprinkler systems, contact the experts at Nutri-Lawn. A lawn sprinkler system technician can provide you with a complimentary consultation and irrigation quote in as little as one hour.
