Saving water outdoors

Typically, outdoor water use accounts for up to 50 percent of water consumed by households. You can reduce your outdoor water consumption by taking a few simple steps. So tighten those taps, eliminate those leaks and use water wisely.

Topics

• Seek the leak
• Irrigation
• Fertilization
• Mowing
• More tips

See also

• Saving indoors

Mowing

Cut your grass at the highest recommended height for your turf species, or the highest setting on your lawn mower. Mow regularly, cutting no more than one-third of the grass length to encourage grass roots to grow deeper and grass blades to hold moisture.

Keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades tear grass, opening it to disease, and cause it to appear tan and ragged. Leave short grass clippings where they fall, reducing the lawn’s need for water and fertilizer. Remove thick patches of clippings so that the clippings will not kill the grass underneath.