Landscaping affects water quality and water supply. Many chemicals and lawn care methods can be harmful to people and plants and may pollute our water supply. To learn how to have an environmentally-friendly landscape, view the information below.
Plants
Choose the right plant for the right place. Get to know your yard; consider the soil type, sunlight, and water needs. Click here for a video on choosing the right plants.
Visit one of the local Water-Wise Demonstration Gardens!
Find out more about great plants for the Northwest:
Pesticide-Free Yards
Pesticides, fertilizers and erosion from our landscapes and gardens may contaminate our water supply. This page will pr ovide links on how to have a beautiful, pesticide-free yard.
Watering
How much water is right for your plants? More problems are actually caused by over-watering than under-watering.
A rain gauge is a simple way to measure rainfall or the amount of water your sprinkler system applies. Click here for a video on how to use a rain gauge.
1. Place the rain gauge in an open area of your lawn.
2. Check the rain gauge before watering.
3. If it’s recently rained 1/4″ or more wait another day to two before watering.
Click here for a video on basic irrigation.
Scheduling an irrigation controller can be tricky. Click here for a video on setting your sprinkler schedule.
Drip irrigation can save up to 50% of the water applied to your landscape. Click here for a video on converting a sprinkler to drip irrigation.
Soils, Compost, and Mulch
Healthy soil is critical for the good water quality and the health of our lawns and gardens; it soaks up rain water, decreases erosion, supplies needed nutrients to plants and filters out pollutants as water moves through.