4 simple strategies for watering your lawn and garden

As the days grow hot and dry, you will find that watering is time-consuming and, in some regions, costly. Consider these easy options for watering. They can minimize the chore and make your watering more efficient.

Install a rain gauge to find out how much rain the garden receives every week. As a rule of thumb, lawns, vegetable gardens and other plantings need 2.5 centimetres (one inch) of water a week.

• Sometimes rainfall will take care of that; otherwise, you'll have to water.

Watering is critical for keeping a lawn looking good. The soil must be moist enough to support the growth of the roots, foster the development of new leaves and replenish the chlorophyll; but it should not be too wet. Soggy soil keeps the roots from getting the air that they need.

• Most lawns need about 2.5 centimetres (one inch) of water per week during the growing season. This can be applied with a sprinkler and hose or an automatic sprinkler system with pop-up sprinkler heads.
• Whatever method you choose, water early in the day — before sunrise is ideal — to minimize evaporation. A timer will make this easier and will prevent waste.
• To find out how much water you are delivering to your lawn, place small containers on several spots in the lawn and measure the amount of water accumulated.
• It can take several hours to water a lawn. Avoid wasting water by avoiding hard surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt. It may be worth investing in several sprinklers so you can water only the places that need it.

• Some plants, such as tomatoes, benefit from deep watering. You can save yourself hours at the end of a hose by rinsing out a plastic four-litre (one-gallon) jug and perforating its sides with a small nail.
• When you plant the tomato, bury the jug up to its neck a few inches away.
• To water the tomato, fill the jug. It will slowly drain for a day or so, delivering the slow, steady drink tomatoes love.

Where water supplies are limited, gardeners can turn to xeriscaping, a water-wise way of gardening.

• Xeriscaping conserves water by using plants that are native to dry climates, groups plants according to water needs and implements careful watering methods. Plants that require extra water should be clustered together.
• Drip irrigation systems and soaker hoses deliver water with little loss of moisture into the air. Other water-wise practices include limiting lawn size, mulching generously and improving the soil so that it can readily use the water it is given.

Your lawn and garden both require a lot of water to flourish, but this can get pricey. Keep these tips in mind the next time you're watering your plants and you may be surprised by how much time and money you'll save!