As realtors always tell us, investing in “curb appeal” adds a lot to the value of our homesteads. So even as we care for our lawns and outdoor plantings, we can water them prudently to save water and energy while stimulating their vigor and beauty.

Lawn watering comes to mind immediately.
But remember, for example, that running a sprinkler can use hundreds of gallons per hour and careless planning can result in water running down sidewalks or driveways right into street gutters.

When should you water your lawn? A quick and meaningful indicator is to step on your grass and pick up your foot; if the grass bounces back, it has sufficient water. If it doesn’t spring back up, it doesn’t.

Best water your lawn in the early morning to reduce fungus and insect infestation. Also, try not to water when the wind is up to keep water from blowing off target and evaporating unnecessarily. Water deeply so that the moisture reaches the bottoms of the roots; shallow watering encourages shallow root systems. And let your grass grow to about three inches before you cut it.

Put a few inches of compost or bark mulch around trees and plants all the way out to their drip lines to hold moisture and thwart weed growth; press the material down on a bit of an incline to minimize water runoff. If you’re going to plant anew, look for drought-resistant grasses, plants, trees and shrubs – especially those that are native to the area because they’ll require less water.