Beat the Drought, Go the Texas Smartscape® Route!
Save water, money, and the environment with a Texas SmartScape®
The state of Texas is currently experiencing one of the worst droughts on record. Water sources have been significantly impacted and with little relief in sight, are likely to continue their decline. In an effort to conserve the dwindling water supplies, more water restrictions—and earlier in the year, are being placed on residents. With more than half the typical household’s outdoor water use going to watering the lawn and garden, the implications for lawns and gardens could be serious. However, by converting to a Texas SmartScape®, a landscape that uses native plants and careful design, water use can be lowered by 20 to 50 percent.
Texas SmartScape® is an award winning gardening program educating homeowners about the ecological and economic benefits of using landscaping plants, trees, shrubs and grasses native to this region and our local climate. Homeowners can still have a thriving lawn or garden in the middle of summer that requires less water and less money, but still looks beautiful! By using native plants, water is conserved and the amount of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are reduced; all of which saves the homeowner money and helps keep chemicals out of our streams, rivers and lakes.
Quit wasting water by making your yard a SmartScape® today! During the month of March visit either the Josey Ranch Library (1700 Keller Springs Road) or the Hebron and Josey Library (4220 N. Josey Lane) to see Texas SmartScape® lobby displays or visit txsmartscape.com anytime to see how you can save water and money.
Simple ways to save water:
• Water less frequently. Most lawns only need watering once every 5 to 7 days in the growing season and every 15 to 20 days in the winter. If it rains, you may be able to water even less often.
• Water early or late. Water your yard only between 8 pm and 10 am to avoid loss from evaporation. Follow Water Conservation Restrictions.
• Reduce turf grass. Lawns typically require a large amount of supplemental water and generally more intensive maintenance than other vegetation.
• Install drip irrigation in flower beds and at the roots of shrubs. Drip irrigation delivers almost 95 percent of the water to plants.
