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Writer: Ron Kane with winterguys.com

Water conservation is something each of us should care about. We rely on clean water for eating, drinking, bathing, growing our food, and protecting our ecosystems, but the earth’s water supply is limited — and we need to act fast if we’re going to reduce water loss and in turn save the planet.

Fortunately, reducing your water footprint is easier than you’d think — and you can still have the most beautiful lawn on the block when you make a few eco-friendly changes to your lawn and landscaping. Check out these tips and resources from water conservation innovators Nudge Systems to find out how!

The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Landscaping

Are you skeptical about the negative effects of water loss? Here are some of the reasons why you should care about conserving water at home.

• Water conservation preserves the environment, protects human health, and minimizes the effects of water shortages throughout the world.
• Making a few eco-friendly changes to your lawn could even boost your home’s appraisal value. Check out Redfin’s tips for increasing your home’s value.
• Water-efficient lawns also require less maintenance, chemicals, and weed control products. Plus, they welcome butterflies, birds, and other wildlife species.

Water-Wise Landscaping Solutions

Ready to create an eco-friendly landscape at home? Here are a few environmentally friendly landscaping solutions to consider.

• Design a water-wise landscape with some tips from Better Homes & Gardens.
• Opt for drought-tolerant plants such as Agaves, Lithops, Sedum, and Desert Rose.
• Use less water by ditching chemical fertilizers, improving your soil, and being mindful of when (and how often) you water your lawn and plants.
• Have your lawn aerated to promote water absorption. You can find a top-rated lawn aerator service through a directory site like Angi.
• Review your local water usage guidelines and water conservation recommendations.

Environmentally Friendly Irrigation Systems

In addition to making a few eco-friendly changes to your lawn, it’s important to follow sustainable irrigation practices at home.

• Capture and reuse rainwater by making your own rainwater harvesting system. The water you harvest can be used to water your garden, lawn, and compost pile, wash your vehicles, and fill ponds, pools, or fountains.
• Install a drip irrigation system. In addition to reducing water waste and beautifying your plants, flowers, and lawn, these systems save you time and money.
• Replace your sprinkler heads with high-efficiency nozzles.
• Install a Pleco water sensor to help you monitor your water usage. The Pleco sensor sends information to the Pleco app, offering real-time updates so you can easily pay close attention to water usage when you’re away from home.

Earth’s water supply may be limited, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop watering your lawn for good or stare at brown patches of grass all year long. With these tips and resources, you can reduce your water footprint while achieving a healthy, sustainable lawn at the same time!