Water-wise tip: Let it rain, let it rain

This is part of a weekly feature in Home & Garden, highlighting ways residents can save water.

▪  If it rains, turn off the sprinklers.

Let Mother Nature handle the irrigation duties. If an inch or more of rain falls on your garden, shut off the sprinklers and drip irrigation for at least a week. You’ll save an estimated 700 gallons per 500 square feet of landscaping, according to water experts. Check to see if the soil is dry before turning your irrigation system back on. How to tell? Try to push an 8-inch screwdriver into the ground. If it pushes in easily, the soil is still relatively moist. If the soil is hard and you can’t push the screwdriver in more than 3 inches, it’s time to water again.

For more tips, visit www.bewatersmart.info.

Debbie Arrington

This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Water-wise tip: Let it rain, let it rain."