How to Conserve Water
Water is becoming increasingly scarce in the USA. So all of us need to conserve water whereever we can.

Organic matter. Mix some sort of organic matter into your soil to reduce downward drainage (persolation) if done before planting. Do this for vegetable gardens, flower beds and foundation plantings. Organic matter absorbs many times its own weight in water. This helps plant growth.

Mulching materials can be placed over the soil to reduce evaporation from the surface. This may also reduce some of the run-off, give better water penetration into the root mass and help to control weeds. Mulches may be organic (shredded leaves, bark, sawdust) or inorganic (gravel). To limit evaporation from the soil surface, try plastic mulch, however this can limit water absorption.

Spraying. There’s not much you can do to stop transpiring. Woody plants, bedding and vegetable plants will benefit by occasionally spraying the foliage durint he day and by keeping the area shaded.

Trickle or drip irrigation allows the slow water penetration into the root zone with just minimum surface wetting. If large areas are to be irrigated, these systems can be useful. You can use plastic tubins, emitters, filtrs and pressure reducers. Attach them to an existing outdoor water supply.

Drip or trickle irrigation allows a steady supply of water to be delivered slowly to the soil around the plant roots. Often a 60 percent or more savings in water usage may be realized using such a system.