Summer time is outdoor watering time – and the chance to save money if you watch a few simple things as you tend to your garden and lawn. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests that you probably can save considerable water – and money. Why? Because, says the EPA, single-family suburban homes use at least 30% of the water they buy for outdoor irrigation. And they waste more than 50% of it due to evaporation, wind and over watering. That’s wasting 15% of the water you pay for.

What to do? For one thing, water your lawn and garden, says the EPA, during the cool morning hours to reduce evaporation. And use sprinklers that produce droplets rather than mists. Also, use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation for trees and shrubs.

Another suggestion: set your sprinklers so that you’re watering grass and gardens only; minimize the amount of water that lands on sidewalks, driveways and streets.

In particular, don’t over fertilize your lawn because this will increase your lawn’s needs for water. And don’t cut it less than three inches high; taller grass develops deeper roots and shades the root system more, holding soil moisture better than a closely cropped lawn.

When you plan your garden, try to plant native plants appropriate to the climate that don’t require so much water. Be sure, too, that you know how much water various areas of your landscaping actually need so you can water different plants according to their individual requirements. And set plants in clusters arranged by their water needs so you can customize your watering by sector more easily.

Finally, mulch around trees and plants to help reduce evaporation and control water-stealing weeds.