Quite a few of our website and e-newsletter readers took part in the poll featured in our August WOWW story. The poll results confirmed that our audience is pretty savvy about water conservation and lawn care. Having recognized the severity of our current drought, nearly 3 out of 4 respondents said they have let their lawn go dormant this summer. Two-thirds of those surveyed reported they have already taken significant steps to reduce water use for landscaping at home; those steps include using native plants, mowing less often, and reusing water from a rain barrel. Nearly all respondents agreed that their lawns need less than 2 inches of water per week.
The consensus among our readers about the importance of water conservation is clear, even though water use ordinances vary widely between their communities. Most of these residents go above and beyond what is required by local ordinance because they appreciate the importance of conservation during a drought. While letting your lawn go brown may seem difficult to accept, trust that your grass will come back healthy the next year with proper care.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a water expert to make beneficial, common-sense changes. During a drought, adopt a reduced watering schedule or cut out watering altogether. If you do water your lawn, make it count by using a modern, efficient sprinkler and watering once a week during cooler dawn or twilight hours.
