(NAPSA)—For homeowners— especially those who live in drier a 3 regions—saving water is an important issue. Americans use an average of 101 gallons of water every day, five times as much water as is needed to maintain basic necessities. A considerable amount of that water is spent keeping lawns and gardens green andlush. Watering lawns and gardens can account for up to half of the 95,000 gallons of water used by households yearly. Smart watering habits—along with weatherbased irrigation products—can save 30 to 70 percent of that water. Here are some water-sav- ing ideas: 1. Don’t drown your lawn. Instead of watering for one long session, water a few times for shorter periods and take 15minute breaks in between each session. 2. Watch the clock. Water between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.— when the sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Midday watering tends to beless efficient due to evaporation, while watering in the evening can encourage the growthof fungus. 3. Divide by zones. Different plants need different amounts of water. Both sprinkler and drip irrigation can be incorporated to achieve more efficient use of water. 4, Water only things that grow.If you have an underground sprinkler system, make sure the sprinkler heads are adjusted properly to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways. A properly adjusted sprinkler head should spray large droplets of water instead ofa fine mist. pore Pe One smart way to conserve wa- ter when irrigating your garden is to install a shutoff device that automatically detects rain or moisture. 5. Consider dripping. When it comes to watering individual trees, flowerbeds, potted contain- ers or other nongrassy areas, consider applying water directly to the roots using low-volume drip irrigation. 6. Do routine inspections. Periodically check your sprinklers to make sure everything is working properly. A clogged head or a torn line can wreak havoc on your landscape and waterbill. 7. Be rain smart. Useanirrigation system with a weatherbased sensor. A weather sensor works with a smart controller to monitor temperature and rainfall and adjusts watering schedules accordingly. The controller uses a built-in database of weather information for the homeowner’s specific geographic area to adjust watering needsall year long. For example, Rain Bird’s SST Smart Irrigation Control System synthesizes a home’s landscape watering needs and on-site weather conditions to give lawns and gardensthe precise amount of water required. For more information, visit www.rainbird.com.
