Two problems: Gardens and lawns can use a lot of water, and too few words begin with
the letter X. Enter xeriscaping. The
Department of Energy describes
it as
strategically saving water on your yard or garden by using things like native
plants, efficient irrigation, and mulch (which can prevent weeds, too). About 30 percent
of home water use goes toward the yard, says
Treehugger! So consider
drought-tolerant or native plants for your landscaping or garden to potentially
save water—here's
a list of plants by region.
And using drip irrigation—essentially little hoses that deliver water on the ground near
plants—can be an
extremely efficient way to water a garden, as there's less runoff.
Other strategies can help you save water in the garden too, like using rain barrels or
watering plants early in the day to prevent evaporation.