The Houston area hasn’t had rain in weeks, and communities are putting restrictions in place to conserve water! Of course we all want to work together to conserve water, so here are some 4 tips to survive a Texas size drought and keep your landscape healthy and beautiful at the same time!

1.  Install drought tolerant vegetation.

In addition to the drought tolerant St. Augustine grass, there are a large variety of plants, flowers, and trees to choose from that are native to Texas. This means they do well in our extreme heat and are drought tolerant!   It can make a great impact on water conservation and your water bill. Most are perennials, so they will come back every year. Some popular flowering favorites are Black-eyed Susans, Purple Coneflower, and Purple Heart. Trees that handle drought well include the Yaupon Holly and Crape Myrtle.   Local nurseries can be very helpful in selecting flowers and trees according to your liking, and a landscaping company can help you with your landscaping design and installation. They will make sure that plants are placed to receive the right amount of sun at the right time of day while ensuring it accents your home and lawn.

2.  Add drip lines around your trees and waterbeds.

This is a cost effective way to keep the soil moist where it is needed most. Drip lines are flexible tubes that resemble a black garden hose. They can be woven through flowerbeds and around trees. Tiny holes in the tubing allow water to slowly seep out along the length of the tubing. Your vegetation has constant moisture without wasting water on areas that don’t need it.

3.  Mulch, mulch, mulch!

There are many advantages of mulching, but in this case it gets bonus points for functioning well as a water reserve. A well mulched bed will be at least 3 inches deep. Be sure you use natural mulch that will break down instead of the rubber pellets or rocks. Again, there are many mulch options available, but keep in mind that dark colors trap more heat than lighter colors. The value of mulching goes far beyond aesthetics. It will retain moisture, reduce watering intervals, and provide nutrients to your flowerbed all at the same time.

4.  Maintain your sprinkler system.

Think of your sprinkler system like a car. It must receive regular maintenance to run efficiently. All too often sprinklers are neglected until needed. Heads wear out, lines spring leaks, and the list goes on. If you keep your system on a maintenance schedule, it will save you money from large repairs and high water bills in the future.   In the Houston area, sprinkler systems should remain “ON” at all times to prevent damage and corrosion in the components.   If you have a sprinkler system, keep it maintained, keep it on, and it will be an effective way to conserve water.

Houston area heat is here to stay, but we can all do our part to conserve water during this season. Follow these tips to stay “green,” and call us at Lawns and Sprinklers USA if we can be of any service to you!