If you live in Los Angeles, then you know this hard fact: drought conditions are worsening. A recent study concluded that water consumption in Southern California actually went up over the past several months, despite our record dry conditions.

Keeping your yard looking green is important, but at what cost? With steep fines now being issued to anyone who exceeds basic water usage, many homeowners are scratching their heads, wondering how to preserve their landscaping.

Now for the good news – you don’t have to lose your lawn. The upshot of droughts throughout history is that we’ve learned how to adapt to them.

Here are a few tips for how to water your lawn responsibly during the drought.

Timing

The most common advice is to water at the right time. Day-time temperatures can dry up the moisture fast, especially in the summer. To get the most bang for your buck so to speak, you should make sure that you water either in the middle of the night, or in the early morning hours. For the best plumber Los Angeles has to offer, call Ritz Plumbing. We’ll guarantee your grass gets adequate watering at the right times.

Another trick is to adjust your watering schedule. Rather than running your sprinklers every day for a couple minutes, turn them on only once in a while for longer periods of time. Not only will it promote a healthy appearance, it can strengthen the roots. Shallow, weak roots will cause the grass to brown and wither. But deep, strong roots will withstand long dry periods.

Prioritize

As the drought in L.A. gets more extreme, homeowners have to start prioritizing their lawns and gardens. Obviously, you want to save as much as you can, but if you have a bigger area, the reality is you might not be able to adequately reach all of your plants all of the time. You’re going to need to figure out which ones definitely get watered first, and which ones can last a little longer without it.

If you have a diverse garden, this will help. A tree that’s older and perhaps needs more assistance probably requires more frequent hydration. Plants like annuals on the other hand are sturdier. They can most likely withstand longer stretches of drought conditions. Once you’ve figured out your system, try to position your sprinkler systems accordingly.

Turf Grass

Turf grass is a great alternative to normal grass. It requires only about ¾ – 1” of water per week in order to grow while keeping a healthy, lush appearance. However, you can also let it go dormant for longer periods compared to natural grass. The important thing is to maintain a consistent schedule. If you decide to water infrequently during the drought, but then change your mind and start over-watering, you can deprive the grass of its nutrients, and cause harm.