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Proper watering can save water, save your plants, and save money

Water
Posted at 5:18 AM, Sep 03, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-03 08:14:37-04

The summer heat may continue, but the daily rounds of summer showers are starting to become a little less frequent.

And the grass you've worked so hard on is starting to look a little crunchy.

It may seem natural to rush over to the sprinkler system and get it running through all hours of the day. But, if not done properly, you could be doing more harm than good.

During these long, hot, and late summer days, watering in the middle of the afternoon often results in the water evaporating before it reaches the roots of the plants. This leaves them just as thirsty as before.

So not only would the plants be left without the water they need to keep their lush green, but you've also unnecessarily wasted water and driven up that utility bill.

Instead try watering overnight or in the early morning hours when the plants actually have a chance to soak up that water which will help them stay green through the heat of the day (this is why morning watering is better than evening watering).

In the case of Lafayette residents, there's actually an ordinance to enforce this during the summer months. The purpose of the ordinance is to make sure there's not a drop in pressure for those supplied by the Lafayette Water System.

Proper watering doesn't just save your plants and save you money, it also allows you to be a good neighbor as well.

Those hoping to save even more water should look into getting a rain barrel. Collecting a more natural source of water helps the plants and allows you to water without running up your bill.

Rain barrels also help keep runoff, which often picks up herbicides and pesticides along the way, from getting into the Bayou Vermilion Watershed.

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