Here in the Atlanta, Georgia area we have several months of warmer weather. This means that if you want a great looking lawn you have to invest some time and money and that includes watering the grass and plants.
But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot on your water bill. There are ways that you can cut down on the cost of watering your yard.
In this article we’ll talk about how to avoid high water bills for lawn care so you don’t spend more than necessary on something as simple as having a nice yard.
12 Ways To Cut Down On High Water Bills For Your Lawn Care
Taking care of your lawn and landscaping during the spring and summer months can really increase your water bill but it doesn’t have to. With a few simple changes you can reduce the amount of water that needs to be used on flowerbeds and other parts of your yard, saving money as well as helping our environment by using less H2O! Here are some tips:
1. Cut down on the number of times you have to water.
The main cause of high water bills for lawn care is overwatering and/or planting the types of plants that require a lot of water.
You can cut down the number of times you water by incorporating some principles of Xeriscaping.
“Xeriscaping often means replacing grassy lawns with soil, rocks, mulch, and drought-tolerant native plant species. Trees such as myrtles and flowers such as daffodils are drought-tolerant plants.” – nationalgeographic.org
2. Feed your yard and plants properly.
Don’t let your lawn suffer from a lack of the nutrients it needs to keep up with its responsibilities. Regular feeding will help crowd out weeds and withstand heat, drought, and other stresses by providing that important nutrient package in an easy-to-digest form for plants such as you!
3. Take advantage of mulch.
Different mulches will have different levels of effectiveness and longevity, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs. Mulch can range from shredded bark or straw all the way to rubber mats that are designed specifically for green houses.
Organic materials such as wood chips add organic matter over time while others like plastic sheets help conserve water in an extreme drought situation by blocking evaporation on top of a layer of soil.
4. Check the weather for rain forecast.
Although it’s not always reliable – you’ll want to check the day’s weather forecast to see if it’s likely that it will rain sometime during the day which means you can skip watering your lawn and plants.
5. Consider installing a rain barrel.
Rainwater is a great alternative to tap water for your plants, and many municipalities are offering incentives. If you’re about to install rain barrels in order save money on irrigation costs then it’s best that you call an expert who understands how the system works so they can help design a plan with different zones of land which will work well together.
6. Install an irrigation system with smart watering devices.
If you don’t have a sprinkler system installed, consider doing so and make sure to add smart watering devices that can set timers and zones for when the sprinklers should go on and off. An automatic rain shutoff device o, they can detect if it’s raining which then tells it to keep the sprinklers off!
Sprinkler systems can actually save you money in the long run if they are programmed correctly to water the areas in your yard that need watering and avoid watering your driveway and sidewalk!
And by using some of the great smart watering devices available today, your sprinklers can save you even more money on your water bill.
Emitter technology has evolved by leaps and bounds in the past decade. If your sprinkler system is more than a couple years old, ask an expert to inspect it for potential water-efficient upgrades like new emitters or rotor heads.
7. Maintain your sprinkler system.
When you have a sprinkler / irrigation system installed in your yard it’s important to keep it well maintained.
This means regularly checking your sprinkler heads to make sure they are not broken, clogged or missing. Running a lawn mower over them can sometimes damage sprinkler heads.
We recommend an annual checkup of your irrigation system by a professional service.
8. Water early in the morning or the early evening.
To save water, it is best to irrigate in the early morning or evening when there are cooler temperatures. Up to 50% of water used during daytime watering can evaporate before it reaches plants and cause sun scald on some grass types.
9. Use the proper height setting on your lawn mower.
Check mower height. Tall grass is more likely to grow faster and will need watering more often.
If you have a thick or tall lawn, do not set the blade any higher than 1/3 of the grass length.
When you mow your lawn at the proper height, not scalping it, it is easier for the grass to find water and nutrients in soil. This creates a deeper root system that can endure wear and tear from extreme weather conditions like heat or drought better than if they were cut too short because of this deep rooting.
Make sure that you use a sharp blade on your lawn mower to keep the grass from tearing. This also allows for less water loss due to the tearing and bruising caused by dull blades, which is more common with shorter grasses or too high of a grass height setting on your lawn mower.
10. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn.
This will minimize evaporation of moisture.
Grass clippings are a great way to naturally fertilize your lawn. Grass blades should be cut short with mowing, but not too close so as to remove the majority of grass in one go. Leaving some blade on the ground will help keep it green and healthy while still providing nutrients that feed back into its system!
11. Know the type of lawn that you have.
Different types of grasses require different amounts of watering. Knowing what you have can help you to save water and money by avoiding overwatering.
Bermudagrass is one of the most common turfgrasses in America. It can survive with only an inch or two of water per week during summer months, but a deep watering about once every 10 to 14 days will help it stay healthy and grow strong roots.
12. Check your pipes for leaks.
Small leaks in your outdoor plumbing and irrigation system can waste over 6,000 gallons of water per month! That could cost you as much as $75.00!
Leaks can be due to older pipes rusting and corroding, tree or plant roots damaging your pipes, clogs, etc.
A professional plumber can check for leaks in your indoor and outdoor plumbing system to see if there are any leaks that may be costing you every month.
Conclusion
With the warmer weather around the corner, homeowners are getting excited about their lawns and gardens. But it can be a costly process to keep those plants watered especially if you have an expansive yard. Luckily there are ways that you can cut down on your water bill without sacrificing your lush landscape with these 12 tips for watering smarter in the Atlanta, Georgia area!
If you have any questions about saving money this summer, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.