1. WA State Conservation Commission There’s a Drought in Your Backyard! Jon K. Culp WSCC 509-385-7509 jculp@scc.wa.gov

2. WA State Conservation Commission Water Conservation Close to Home Lawn Care Irrigation Landscape Xeriscape General Outdoor

3. WA State Conservation Commission Adjust your lawn mower to the height of 1.5 to 2 inches Leave lawn clippings on your grass Aerate your lawn periodically Footprints in the lawn mean its time to water Weeds compete for water, nutrients, and light Use lawn fertilizer sparingly Lawn Care

4. WA State Conservation Commission Irrigation

5. WA State Conservation Commission Watering Soil Irrigation Water Loss

6. WA State Conservation Commission Irrigation Use a tuna can to measure water application Check local agricultural weather for daily evapotranpiration rates Water by 1-2-3 method Water lawn one foot deep Water shrubs and bushes two feet deep Water large trees three feet deep Water during early morning hours Use a kitchen timer or a hose bib timer Water dry spots in your lawn by hand

7. WA State Conservation Commission Irrigation Use drip irrigation around trees and shrubs Install rain barrels to collect water for flower beds and boxes Fix every leak! Make sure sprinkler nozzles aren’t worn out. Try not to water on windy days

8. WA State Conservation Commission Xeriscape  Low water plants  Reduce the amount of lawn you have  Plant in fall or spring  Group plants by water need  Choose natives plants when possible  Keep lower limbs on trees and shrubs

9. WA State Conservation Commission Xeriscape  Mulch around plants  Use 2 to 4 inches  compost increases holding capacity

10. WA State Conservation Commission General Outdoor Tips  Wash your car on your lawn or...  Use a nozzle while car washing  Repurpose old pet water  Sweep or Blow off your sidewalks or patios  Direct evaporative cooler drain to landscape  Fix all leaks immediately!

11. WA State Conservation Commission Drought Information  http://www.ecy.wa.gov/drought Cowlitz River Basin

12. WA State Conservation Commission Questions?