Stories
Many Florida homeowners worry that their lawns ands landscapes are not getting enough water, but did you know that watering too much is just as damaging? Learning a few water-wise tips not only conserves this precious resource, it benefits your lawn as well. These stories provide you with practical tips that will help you save water and become Florida-Friendly.
These articles have been moved to our new site, Gardening Solutions.
Setting Your Irrigation Controller
- It's best to run your irrigation system manually in order to follow water restrictions, but if you must use the auto setting, here are a few tips.
Ten Ways to Save Water
- It doesn't take much to conserve water. Just a few extra steps on your part could save gallons—and dollars.
Saving Water Using Your Irrigation System
- An automated irrigation system can help you save water, but only if it's operating properly. Learn how to calibrate your irrigation system.
Dealing with Water Restrictions
- Florida’s water management districts can restrict water use in order to ensure that we all have enough water. Learn how to cope.
Capturing Water with Rain Barrels
- Need more water for your garden? For every inch of rain that falls in on 1,000 square feet of roof area, about 600 gallons of rainwater can be collected.
Improving Your Lawn's Drought Tolerance
- A few simple management practices can help improve the drought tolerance of your turfgrass, no matter what species or cultivar you have.
Irrigation System Maintenance
- Regular maintenance saves money; not only in water bills, but also on large repairs that result from neglecting the system.
Lawn Management During a Drought
- Even with water restrictions, you can help your lawn survive periods of drought with a few maintenance steps.
What is Drought?
Drought is not purely defined by lack of rain. Whenever human demands for water exceed the natural availability of water, the result is drought.
All About Water Restrictions
Who creates Florida's watering restrictions, why, and how do you know when they're in effect? Learn about water management districts and how they affect you.
A Better Lawn on Less Water
Don't let water restrictions worry you. Proper use of an automatic irrigation system can keep your lawn beautiful without wasting water.
Providing Water to Wildlife
Fresh water that’s accessible to wildlife can be hard to find during a drought. You can help and beautify your landscape at the same time.
Planning Your Landscape to Conserve Water
Use the principle "Right Plant, Right Place" in planning your landscape. Select plants whose needs match the conditions of your yard to save money and effort.
Firewise Landscaping
- Florida has been prone to wildfires in the last few years, and we can expect them to return. Your landscape can help protect your home.
University of Georgia Drought Articles
The University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences also has several water conservation and drought articles that are available for use. Please provide attribution to UGA when using these articles.
At Home
Garden
Landscape
- Best Management Practices for Landscape Water Conservation
- Common sense rules for flowers in drought
- Drought-proof your landscape
- Extreme heat can sizzle landscapes
- Groundcovers make landscape less thirsty
- Heat, drought take toll on landscape plants
- Planting time key to summer flower's survival
- Rely on drought-resistant landscape plants
- Trees can suffer heat stroke, too
People & Pets
Watering
- Lawns don't waste water, people do
- Prepare your plants for summer watering
- Poking and soaking will help lawn survive
- Suffering dogwoods need water in Georgia summer
- Trees need water, too
- Used properly, home irrigation can be helpful tool
- Using gray water on the landscape
- Watering 101: Just the right amount, and never too much