VALLEY — The San Luis Valley is a high mountain desert. We live in a perpetual drought environment. Our average moisture, including snow and rain is around 7.0 to 7.5 inches per year. This year many areas of the Valley have seen even less moisture. The summer monsoon rains haven’t set in to help with summer watering.

This means that we need to take even more care when watering around our homes to conserve the water we have while making sure our lawns, gardens, flowers and trees have adequate water. 

Landscapes are expensive and time consuming to replace if lost. Therefore, it is important to prepare for and practice water saving measures to maintain the landscapes during drought. 

There are some tips we can use to practice water conservation during times of drought.

• Be aware of any watering restrictions that may be in place in your community. 

• Hand watering of trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables may occur more frequently.

• Water between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. 

• Irrigate only plants you are planning to water. Don’t irrigate hardscapes, or areas where no plants are intended.

• Do not irrigate when high winds or rainfall are occurring.

• Apply irrigation at lower rates. This will reduce runoff and waste.

• Drought tolerant plants still need water. They aren’t drought tolerant until they are established in the soil.

• Use water-wise plant when possible.

Understand and water according to the water requirements of the plants in your landscape. Also, know your soil texture and moisture holding capabilities. This may help you reduce watering and still maintain a quality landscape. Watering needs may change frequently. Know when you can reduce watering.

Check soil moisture before each watering. This will help determine how much water you need to apply. Surfaces may appear dry but if you dig down a couple of inches you may find there is already adequate soil moisture. Breaking up a soil crust may help oxygen get into the soil to help plants as well.

One way to check for soil moisture is to take a 6-inch screwdriver and push it into the soil. Whether it goes in easy or hard, you may need to irrigate depending on your soil type. Sandy soils are loose but may still need water. You can also use a moisture meter to measure soil moisture. Follow the directions for the meter to get the best readings.

If you have an irrigation system watch it to see that it is applying water where it is needed. 

Prioritize your water needs. The top priority will be newly transplanted trees that have a limited root system. Supplemental irrigation is needed even during good water times. After that, water the areas that seem to show drought stress the most often. 

Check watering needs for different plants in the landscape. Trees have different watering needs from lawns, gardens or flowers. Each one is different. If watering is done according to need then we can conserve water while protecting all the plants around the home. 

For more information or to get a copy of the Colorado State University Extension “Watering a Home Landscape During Drought” fact sheet, look at the CSU Garden and Yard website, http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ or contact the CSU Extension Office in the San Luis Valley at 719-852-7381.

Please feel free to visit our website at: http://sanluisvalley.colostate.edu for information about services provided and links to other information.

Extension programs are available to all without discrimination, Colorado State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating.

Caption: Garden beds/Photo courtesy of CSU Extension