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Plant drought-resistant plants

Planting drought-resistant plants in your lawn and landscaping reduces the amount of watering required to keep the plants healthy. According to the EPA, a household can save 20-50% of their outdoor watering needs by converting to a water-efficient landscape through the use of drought-resistant plants and careful design. To learn more:  Rooting for Native Plants

Refrain from watering your lawn

30% of the water consumed on the East Coast goes toward watering lawns. The easiest way to cut your household’s water use is to stop watering your lawn. Watering your lawn also makes your grass grow faster, and the higher your grass grows, the more often you need to mow your lawn. Learn more about the environmental impacts of traditional lawns.

Install a rain barrel or cistern

Rain barrels and cisterns trap water from your downspouts and store it for future uses like watering your garden. They can help to reduce the amount of stormwater entering storm drains headed for the Chesapeake Bay. Learn more from our Tips for Green Leaders Rain Barrel Fact Sheet. Check out this guide on rainwater harvesting or this video about rain barrels.

Have a stormwater audit or landscape plan completed for your property that includes landscape practices to filter stormwater

Plant a streamside buffer with native trees and shrubs