Fresh water is a precious resource, especially in a desert environment like Tucson’s. Taking steps to reduce water use in your landscaping is a great way to have a positive environmental impact. Of course, using less water can also provide the benefit of lower utility bills. Here are a few easy steps that you can take to use less water in your landscaping.

Stick to Native Plants

When you look around the Sonoran Desert, you may notice that it is full of unique plants that thrive here. Rather than filling your landscaping with exotic, non-native plants, opt for native or desert-adapted plants instead. These plants have evolved to withstand the heat, sun, and drought that are common in Southern Arizona. As a result, they can grow well in your yard with little to no irrigation. Even better, native plants can help to support local wildlife and will not pose the risk of becoming an invasive species.

Water Deeply

It may feel counterintuitive to water plants deeply, especially if you’re trying to conserve water. However, watering deeply allows most of the water to sink down into the soil, helping to reduce the amount that is lost to evaporation. As a result, you won’t have to water your landscaping as frequently. In addition, watering deeply mimics the rain patterns of the desert, and also encourages plants to grow deep, well-established root systems.

Set Up a Drip Irrigation System

If you do have plants in your landscaping that require regular watering, opt to use a drip irrigation system rather than sprinklers. Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the base of plants, rather than spraying it through the air. This ensures that as much of the water as possible reaches the roots of your plants. You’ll lose less water to evaporation, and will see lower water bills as a result.

Do you need help installing a drip irrigation system or adding native plants to your landscaping? Get in touch with Complete Landscaping. We love helping Tucson residents and business owners optimize their landscapes for beauty, functionality, and water conservation. To find out more, give our Tucson landscaping company a call at (520) 323-8918.