How to Use Less Water in Your Garden—And Still Have a Beautiful Yard

If shifting climate conditions are challenging your green thumb, you’re not alone. In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture moved about 50 percent of the country’s hardiness zones 5 degrees warmer, or up a half-zone. Amid extreme weather, one of the best ways gardeners can support the planet and their plants is with waterwise gardening.     

“Climate change and urbanization present challenges to our water resources with greater extremes in precipitation and temperatures,” says Eliana Brown, water quality and stormwater specialist with University of Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. “Gardeners can help with practices that are good for the environment and for their plants.”

Every decision in the garden has an impact on water use, she says—which plants you buy, your garden’s design, mulching and what gear you use during dry spells. Here are some ideas to make the most of every drop.

Cover the Soil

A thriving soil ecosystem acts like a sponge, storing and releasing water as needed. (Translation: less need for you to pull out the hose.) Whether gardening in-ground or in containers, covering the soil can retain moisture and insulate your plants’ roots. Ground cover plants can act as a living mulch, or you can apply 2 inches of natural materials like bark chips, fall leaves, grass clippings, compost, or gravel atop your beds and pots, replenishing occasionally. 

Water Wisely

It’s better to water deeply, less often, than to lightly water daily. (Aim for an inch per week if it hasn’t rained.) Occasional long soaks encourage deeper, more weather-resilient root systems. Brown recommends morning watering; leaving wet leaves overnight can foster disease. Irrigation systems, soaker hoses or hand-watering are all more efficient than sprinklers, because they direct water right to the roots. Water annuals or new plants more often during heat waves. Pamper trees and shrubs with a quenching soak when rain is scarce.

Explore New Techniques

Read up on planting styles that naturally save water. For example, matrix planting knits together shallow- and deep-rooted plants in resilient huddles that mimic nature. Hügelkultur refers to growing in a self-sustaining bed of logs and leaves. Rain gardens help prevent stormwater runoff. Or just group plants into zones by water needs, corralling your thirstiest plants together. 

Choose the Right Plants

While all new plants need regular water for the first two years, selecting plants known for drought tolerance, including native species, means stronger plants and a happier gardener. “Planting intentionally is going to go really far in creating a waterwise landscape,” Brown says. “Look for species and systems that work with local conditions rather than fighting them.” 

Harvest the Rain

While Brown says planting and watering techniques have the biggest impact on saving water, rain barrels are a great backup. Most tanks hold 55 gallons, which isn’t as big as it sounds; link a herd of them if you have the space. She recommends using the water for nonedible plants, because chemicals and organic contaminants may leach from the roof. She also stresses the importance of regular use and cleaning the filter screen.