Conservation outside your home

Prioritize your lawn care

1. Decide what areas you'd most like to be lush and limit your water use to these areas.
2. If you have a patch of grass that isn't meant for display (i.e. a backyard play area), practice "survival irrigation"—6mm - 1.25cm (1/4in - 1/2in) of water every four weeks will ensure that the grass survives.
3. Minimize foot traffic during drought to reduce turf damage.

Watering your lawn

• The best lawns need 2.5cm / 1in of water per week.
• Keep track of how much water your lawn is getting by setting out a small food tin to collect rain water and irrigation.
• Established lawns can go four to six weeks without water and not suffer long term damage.
• Don't worry if your lawn turns brown during dry periods. It's simply dormant and will recover with irrigation.
• Ensure the placement of your sprinkler waters your lawn, not your driveway or the street.
• Make sure the water you use for your lawn is absorbed. Try 20-minute intervals to allow for maximum absorption.
• Even if the surface soil is dry, there may still be moisture further down where the roots are. Use a soil probe (such as a screwdriver) to check moisture levels. If you can easily push the probe 10 - 15cm / 5 - 6in into the soil, you don't need to water.

Hoses and sprinklers

• Inspect your hoses and sprinklers regularly for leaks. If a certain area of your lawn seems especially green or overgrown, you may have a leak that needs your attention.
• Replace cracked hoses and clean nozzles regularly.
• Store hoses away from human and pet traffic to avoid damage.

Sprinkler timers

• Manual sprinkler timers allow you to set the irrigation schedule based on need, rather than automatic timers that are preset based on time.
• If you use an automatic timer, make sure you reset it regularly as rainfall changes.

Preventing water loss

• Avoid watering your lawn when it's windy.
• Water your lawn in the early morning or late evening.
• The larger the sprinkler nozzle and the lower the water pressure, the more likely the drops will reach the plants without turning to vapour.

Deepen your roots

• Deep roots are happy roots.
• Did you know gradually decreasing the amount of watering you do encourages shallow grass roots to grow deeper? They'll become capable of living with less irrigation.
• Weed regularly, as weeds leave less water for your other plants.
• Rich soil holds water more efficiently than soil with clay or sand and encourages deep root growth.
• Use a slow-release fertilizer to encourage growth and reduce the need for large doses of water.

Mowing your lawn

• Cut less often and leave your grass a little longer than usual to maintain a robust root system. For example, Kentucky bluegrass mowed to 7cm / 3in will develop extensive roots that often reach 20 - 25cm / 8 - 10in into the ground.
• Increase grass height as summer turns to fall. Longer grass blades generate more energy to help the grass better survive winter.
• Sharpen your mower blades at least 3 times per year to reduce plant stress.
• Scatter soft grass clippings on your lawn. This will help replenish up to 40% of the applied nitrogen back to the lawn as the clippings break down. A mulching mower will help speed the breakdown of the clippings.
• Keep lawn thatch down to 1.25cm / 1/2in. To break down thatch, add a thin layer of loam in the spring

Outdoor lighting not only enhances your yard, but is important for safety and security. Here are some tips to brighten your property year-round while conserving energy.

• Use motion sensors to light the entrances to your home.
• Use single, "plantable" solar lights to give your garden a pleasant glow.
• Replace outdoor incandescent bulbs with CFLs or LEDs.
• Be sure to clean your outdoor fixtures frequently. Dust and dirt reduce brightness.

Holiday lighting

• Switch your incandescent light strings to LEDs to save money on your energy bill.
• LEDs use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and they don't get hot.
• The amount of energy consumed by just one seven-watt incandescent bulb is equal to 140 LEDs (more than 14m of lights).
• Install timers for your outdoor lights.

Follow these tips to make them more efficient.

Pools & hot tubs

• Cover your pool or hot tub to prevent heat loss from the water.
• Use a cover to prevent evaporation from your pool or hot tub.
• Replace your hot tub motor with a newer, energy-efficient model.
• Regularly check pipes, hoses and connections for leaks.

Fountains & water features

• Adjust the direction and pressure of spraying water (such as in a fountain) to prevent splashing.
• Shut off your water features when it's rainy, windy or very hot.
• Pay close attention to the condition of your water features (ponds, fountains and waterfalls) to ensure they don't use more water than they should.

Rain barrels collect and store rainwater, which can then be used for watering your lawn, garden and potted plants. Half an inch of rainwater typically fills a 208 litre/55 gallon rain barrel. Note that you should never use collected rainwater for drinking or food preparation.

Setting up your rain barrel

Our 208 litre/55 gallon rain barrel is made of recycled plastic. It should come with a removable lid, brass tap, overflow tube and hose clamp. The lid should have a steel screen to keep debris out.

1. Choose a location below a downspout approximately 2 metres away from the house foundation. If that's not possible, purchase an overflow device or downspout diverter from a hardware store.
2. Place the barrel on a firm, level surface like plywood, cement block or compacted ground. To maximize barrel, raise to 350mm/ 12-16in in height.
3. Secure and stabilize the barrel to avoid tipping hazards; a full rain barrel is very heavy.
4. Position the downspout to fit into the screen opening. Cut the downspout if needed.
5. Install the brass tap into the hole near the bottom front of the rain barrel. Hand tighten.
6. Install the overflow connection/hose into the hole near the top of the rain barrel. There are two spouts blocked by a plastic disc. Choose the best side for the overflow hose and remove one disc by inserting a screwdriver or chisel from the outside and gently tapping with a hammer around the edges of the disc until it pops out.
7. Attach the lid to the barrel using the four screws provided.

Maintaining your rain barrel

• Clean the screen monthly to remove debris and leaves.
• Add a small amount of olive oil or dish soap to the water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your barrel.
• Keep the lid on your barrel at all times to keep children and wildlife out.

Storing your rain barrel

In preparation for winter, drain your barrel and store it upside down in a shed or garage. If the barrel is left outside during the winter and exposed to the elements, the plastic may crack.

Caution

Collected rain water is not potable water. Never drink or ingest standing water that has been collected in a rain barrel. This water may become stagnant or contaminated, and isn't fit for human or animal consumption.

Here are some tips for your yard that'll help you conserve energy all year round.

Your yard in the summer

• Surround your home with a green belt.
• The leaves of deciduous trees or shrubs block out the heat from the sun in the summer months, while letting in the sun's warmth during winter.
• Add mulch around your plants to retain cooling moisture during the summer.

Your yard in the winter

• Install timers and power-saver cords on your car's block heaters and interior car warmers. Three hours is all that's needed to be effective.
• Put outdoor lights (like LED Christmas lights) on timers.

Keeping your water garden over winter

• If you have a sunny room, set up your water garden indoors.
• Place smaller water plants in a fish tank with an overhead light.
• Fill a large plastic tote with a few centimetres of pond water and place in a cold storage room. Check the plants periodically.