How to Lower Your Water Bill: Summer Irrigation Tips
Hot and sunny days are almost here, Minnesotans! It likely comes as no surprise that, in our state, most of the outdoor water use occurs during summer. While higher utility bills can be expected, they shouldn’t—and don’t have to—burn a hole in your wallet. Here are some residential irrigation tips to help lower your water bill this summer.
Verify That Your Lawn Needs Watering Before Doing So
Healthy, well-established lawns don’t require daily watering. Verify that your grass needs water first by stepping on it. Proceed with watering if the blades stay flat; hold off if they spring back.
Water Your Lawn Infrequently but Efficiently
Be strategic with when and how you water:
- Water your lawn, landscapes, and gardens in the cooler, early morning hours so the heat doesn’t cause rapid evaporation.
- Assuming no rainfall has occurred, only water your lawn once a week, if at all.
- Remember that deep soaking is better than frequent, shallow watering. When it’s time to irrigate, aim to give your lawn about 1 inch of water.
Stay Cognizant with Automatic Irrigation Systems
Automatic irrigation systems may be convenient, but they can also easily lead to overwatering. Instead of leaving them on for the entire summer, you should keep them off except for during extended dry spells. Again, infrequent deep soaking is the way to promote healthy turf while conserving water.
Additionally, consider investing in a soil moisture sensor (SMS). These devices make automatic irrigation systems more efficient by measuring the amount of moisture in the soil and interrupting the watering schedule if sufficient levels are detected.
Use Smart Mowing Practices
The essentials of proper lawn mowing boil down to doing it regularly, with a sharp blade, and at the proper height:
- Cut your lawn to a height of 3-4 inches. Taller grass provides shade to keep the soil cooler and protected against weed seeds. It also means longer roots that withstand drought and reach nutrients.
- Ensure your mower blades are sharp, as cleanly cut grass is more able to conserve water. Additionally, the jagged edges left by dull blades make plants more susceptible to disease.
To learn more about proper lawn mowing practices, click HERE.
Rely on Delano Municipal Utilities for All Your Residential Energy and Water Needs
Many homeowners take pride in maintaining a healthy lawn, garden, and landscape. However, doing so doesn’t have to require wasted water and extreme utility costs. Use these summer irrigation tips to help lower your water bill this season.
As always, Delano Municipal Utilities (DMU) is here to help with your public power and water needs. Contact us today with any questions or to learn more.