Take steps toward being a water-efficient gardener

Groundwater levels in Carson City production wells are at their lowest levels in the last 10 years due to below normal precipitation for a number of years, according to Tom Hoffert, Carson City utilities operations manager. We are in a drought. This is a normal state of affairs for this area. Successive wet years are rare. Groundwater levels are not being recharged all over Northern Nevada.

During "normal" precipitation years, Carson City generally pumps at around 60 feet below the ground, producing 1 million gallons of water per day. Now they are pumping at 100 feet below the ground and only producing 750,000 gallons per day. We have come through our so-called rainy season and can expect dry weather until next winter.

Landscape irrigation can use up to 75 percent of a home's total water consumption during the growing season. Often at least 50 percent of that water is wasted.

Here are some tips on conserving water in the landscape:

n Choose less water-needy plants - ones that only need water when becoming established or once every couple of weeks.

n Water trees deeply, soaking 15 inches into the ground. This will also allow you to water less frequently.

n Use a minimum of 2 inches of mulch around all plants to reduce evaporation from the soil surface.

n Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation under the mulch.

n Minimize fertilizing (particularly on lawns) to reduce the flush of new growth that demands more water.

n Reduce or eliminate the amount of lawn in your yard or use lawn alternatives.

n Use hardscape (patios, rocks, pavers etc.) or mulches instead of ground covers.

n Put plants that need supplemental irrigation in high-visibility, high-use areas around your entry or close to the patio.

Try the following to reduce water waste even further:

n Install an automatic shut-off nozzle on your hose to use when watering.

n Avoid watering when it is windy. It is okay to water before dawn.

n Avoid creating water runoff from irrigation.

n Detect and repair all leaks in irrigation systems, garden faucets and hose connections.

n Reset your irrigation timer when weather conditions change. You can set it for a shorter time in May, longer in July (or when it is hot), shorter again in late August, etc.

Water is a precious limited resource. We all have a responsibility to conserve, especially in the landscape.

If you would like to participate in a class about beautiful plants for water-efficient landscapes, please call me at 887-2252, or e-mail me at skellyj@unce.unr.edu.

For information on other gardening topics, call 887-2252, 782-9960, or your local University of Nevada Cooperative Extension office. Check out many useful horticulture publications at www.unce.unr.edu. "Ask a Master Gardener" by e-mailing mastergardeners@unce.unr.edu

JoAnne Skelly is the Carson City/Storey County Extension Educator for University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. E-mail her at skellyj@unce.unr.edu.