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Use a watering can or a shut-off nozzle on your hoses

During just 10 minutes of washing a car or watering plants, a standard hose uses about 100 gallons. Using an automatic shutoff nozzle on your garden hose or filling up a watering can saves the water that would otherwise be wasted when the hose is not actually in use or aimed at your desired target.

Avoid mid-day watering of your lawn and gardens

If the garden or lawn receives water at mid-day, when the temperature is highest, some of the water will evaporate from the wet soil and plants before it has the chance to soak into the ground. Watering in the early morning provides plants with water at their most active period of transpiration, when they are taking up the most water through their roots. It also allows them to dry off before the cool night temperatures set in, reducing the chance of disease. Learn more about when to water.

Use a broom, rather than a hose or leaf blower, to clean sidewalks, driveways, patios, and other impermeable surfaces

Running a standard hose for just 10 minutes uses 100 gallons of water. Make sure to pick up any swept-up waste and put it in a trash can or compost pile, not the gutter or storm drain. Sweeping the waste into the gutter only adds to the pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Remember, “Only rain down the drain!”

Use mulch in gardens and landscaping

The use of mulch materials, such as chipped wood, straw, and leaves, in gardens and landscaping helps to conserve water by absorbing and storing moisture for plants. It also insulates the ground from hot temperatures during summer months, decreasing the evaporation rate of water. In cool temperatures, the mulch can help keep plants warm; this can be especially useful for protecting seedlings in the spring.

You can purchase high quality mulch and compost produced through Frederick County’s yard waste recycling program by visiting the 9031 Reichs Ford Road facility. You can also get lower-quality single-ground mulch at no-charge.

Use "grey" water for watering plants

“Grey water” is a term for used water from your shower, bath, washing machine, sinks, cookware, and fish bowls that you can use to water your gardens and reduce your water bills. Grey water does not include water from toilets, which is considered black water. Be creative in the ways that you collect your grey water: save water used to boil vegetables, pasta, and eggs. Collect dripping water from your window air conditioning unit. Collect water used to rinse fruits and vegetables.

For more tips on using grey water, check out this guide on rainwater harvesting and grey water reuse.

Use slow-drip irrigation for watering plants

Slow-drip irrigation delivers water to plants at a slower rate that better matches their absorption rates, helping to minimize evaporation of water from plants and the soil surrounding them. Slow-drip irrigation can be facilitated through use of a soaker hose or watering bags.

Learn more about slow-drip irrigation or learn how to make your own slow-watering devices for free.