The average lawn consumes approximately 20,000 gallons of water a year and about 50% of household water for every 1,000 sq. ft. of grass. A low water use landscape can reduce this water use by 50-75%. Replacing a lawn with native, drought-tolerant plants can be the first step to conserving water outdoors, saving between 33 and 60 gallons of water a day. Sheet mulching is another great way to turn a typical lawn into a low water use garden. It is a layering technique, using mulch and cardboard or newspaper, to get rid of a lawn without having to go through the hassle of digging it up. Additionally, watering in short cycles between midnight and 6 a.m. to reduce evaporation saves 20 to 25 gallons of water per day.
With record low rainfall in the North Bay and across the state, we need your help to conserve water.
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