LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - We have seen dry conditions since last autumn. With drought intensifying across the region, many have turned to supplemental watering to keep their lawns and gardens green.
But inefficient watering can lead to waste and poor absorption in the ground. One way to conserve is simply pay attention to how much water we are actually using.
Steve Huntzicker, Agriculture Agent for the La Crosse County UW Extension explains. "Simple things like taking a small food can or tuna can or something like that and setting it out while we have that sprinkler or that water system running to see how much water we're putting out in the timeframe that we're actually watering. If we're getting more than an inch of water, most of our plants over that week don't need much more than that."
Another easy way to conserve is watering during the morning or evening, and using soaker hoses to cut back on evaporation losses. "Make sure we're not watering out during the middle of the hot, dry part of the day. Even though that may seem to be the time that works best for us or might be the most convenient. Our early evenings or early mornings are probably our best time to use that water efficiently, once the sun is starting to set or go down, so we're not just evaporating it all back off."
