Tip of the Week: Plan Ahead to Water Less

There are steps you can take during spring planting to reduce your garden’s summer water use. Read these water-saving garden tips.

Published May 3, 2010 12:05 AM PDT

To cut down on the supplemental water that your garden will need during hot, dry periods in the summer, take action in the spring:

Choose plants wisely. Look for plants that tolerate drought.
Amend the soil with organic matter, especially if it is sandy. Clay soil and rich soil are better able to retain water than sandy soil.
Space plants close together. Closely planted gardens are more likely to get by without supplemental watering than gardens with wide empty spaces are.
Mulch! Several inches of mulch will help the soil conserve moisture.

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