It is possible to have a luscious, healthy, green garden while doing your part to conserve water. Water is a precious resource, and we are finding out that we are often in short supply of it, especially during the hot summer months. Plants and grass naturally need water to survive, but it does not mean they need to be drowned in it for optimum growth. Here are some tips you can start utilizing in your yard maintenance.

Watering the lawn can be one of the biggest ways you can waste water if you don't do it properly. Some homeowners tend to over water their lawn by watering everyday, which can lead to poor root growth in the long run. Depending on the area you live in and how hot and dry it gets, you should not have to water your lawn no more than twice per week, as long as you are watering enough. Usually, 1-2" of water should be sufficient. If you are wondering how you would go about measuring how much water your lawn is receiving, leave out a can or other container that can capture the water and measure that with a ruler. Most home improvement stores also carry water gauges of some sort to help you measure.

Watering the lawn should be done during the early morning hours, typically between 4 and 8 a.m. This period of time is optimal because there is less wind and heat from the sun that will cause rapid evaporation. Watering at night is also not a good idea because it can actually cause fungus and promote insect activity.

Use fertilizer in your garden only as directed. Using too much fertilizer will cause your plants to demand for more water.

Similarly, adding mulch to your garden helps with moisture, meaning less watering. It also prevents erosion and prevents weeds from growing because the mulch is blocking the sun from reaching the weed.

Keep similar plants together in the same section. Drought-tolerant plants should be put in a different section from plants that need constant watering to survive. Water the plants in your garden according to their type so that just the right amount of water is used.

Consider installing a timing device on your sprinkler system if you have not already done so. Schedule and maintain a regular watering cycle for your plants. Installing a rain sensor will stop the sprinklers from turning on when it starts to rain. That device will come in handy when you are not home to turn off your sprinkler system.

Use paving materials, such as brick, gravel, or granite around your garden areas to keep water in the garden and prevent them from traveling elsewhere.