Tips to Beautify your Property 

As Southern California residents, we're no strangers to the term "drought" and how it applies to both our home and daily life. Water conservation throughout the entire state of California has been a hot topic for as long as I can remember. So, how does this apply to your home? Maximizing your property's sustainability will give you the key to water conservation and the control over water runoff. 

It all starts with the way you water. Begin by changing out oscillating sprinklers with low-angle sprayers to reduce water loss due to evaporation. As you change out these sprinklers, be sure to position them in areas where you can reduce water loss. Hint: Stay away from positioning sprayers near gutters, walkway and the street. Finally, only water as needed.

The two main areas of your property where you can maximize sustainability are in your lawn and garden

Lawns only need about an inch of water a week, so if it's rained then check your rain gauge to see how much water has already fallen on your lawn before watering. Also remember when it comes to watering grass, you still want to evenly distribute water so you don't over water one area and under water another. You can even go one step further to install drip irrigation in your garden as well. 

The way you garden can also help. Start by analyzing your garden to see which types of plants could be replaced with drought resistant plants. This includes any variation of succulents or ground cover that can withstand the warm weather without needing much water to flourish. Additionally, you could replace grass or heavy dirt areas with decorative rocks and sand to give your garden a variation of texture and color that doesn't need any additional maintenance. You may even consider adding mulch to garden beds to help retain water and soil moisture.  

Other Ways to Create a Sustainable Home

If you're looking for other ways to conserve water and maximize your home's sustainability, consider these other areas of your property where you can make some changes: 

• Begin collecting rainwater to water both your indoor and outdoor plants 
• Refrain from using the hose to wash off your driveway or walkways, use a broom instead 
• Clean out and replace damaged rain gutters 
• Install low flow consumption screens on all faucets 
• Reduce dish washer and washing machine usage by washing one or two large loads instead of three or four small ones  

For more tips on sustainability, read the original article on RISMedia.com.