1. Use an irrigation computer.  Try to situate plants together in the garden according to amount of water they need and number of times they need to be irrigated.

2. It is more economical to use drip irrigation, which requires a few liters of water, rather than using sprinklers to water your garden.

3. Plan the watering of your garden throughout the year, but check the condition of your plants on a regular basis and adjust your irrigation computer according to the season.  Many plants with specific life spans disappear from our gardens because they are irrigated too often.

4. Grass that has recently been cut should be watered minimally, and only during early morning hours. Try to mow the grass as much as possible.

5. By understanding and learning to use the irrigation computer properly, you can, at the start of every season,”train” your grass and plants. Try adjusting how often you irrigate.  This will allow plants to grow deeper roots, enabling them to withstand pests and viruses. Use your garden hose in between planned watering if necessary.

6. Compost – learn how to use compost in your garden to improve the quality of the soil.  This has a major impact on its ability to absorb and retain water. Composting will also enrich your soil.

7. Mulching (turning over the soil) does more than improve the beauty of your garden.  It maintains the soil moisture so you can irrigate less often.

8. You can plant more than just cacti and desert plants in your garden and still conserve water. There is a rich variety of plants that require minimal watering and can withstand our hot and dry climate. Visit your local nursery for more information.

9. Covering your grass with fertilizer and keeping it trimmed will conserve a lot of water, but there are many practical and economical alternatives to grass.  These include:  synthetic grass, decks, natural stone etc. Planting trees is recommended.  They will create shade, lower exterior temperatures and significantly reduce water loss.