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Outdoor Water Tips

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Living in Metro Vancouver means we’re fortunate to live in a temperate climate. However, we often turn to water as a tool we can always rely on while it’s actually a limited resource that isn’t always the best option for our needs. From cleaning the car to watering outdoor plants to maintaining decks, the following tips help reduce use of treated drinking water for outdoor activities and offer alternatives to common habits.​​

Top TipsLawn Tips

 

 

<div class="ExternalClass7E350F5A90E0431EA28D0E2517C339FC"><p>Choose<strong> plants that love dry heat</strong>  like tomatoes, basil, beans, melon, eggplant.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/heat-plants.jpg, Heat plants https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/heat-plants.jpg
<div class="ExternalClassC91B23B440B84C8A8033A79C26ABBBB7"><p><strong>Use grow bags</strong> on trees to deliver water deep below the soil surface and encourage root growth during dry conditions.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/drip-bag.jpg, drip bags https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/drip-bag.jpg
<div class="ExternalClass7B39E3990BAC4D91B4CC358A8913A71F"><p><strong>Plant in wetter seasons</strong> like spring and fall, not during the watering restrictions (May to September).<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/plant-gardens.jpg, Plant gardens https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/plant-gardens.jpg
<div class="ExternalClassBB01248F49CE4D6692B6BD8C83258B45"><p> Water vegetable gardens with<strong> water saved in a rain barrel</strong> instead of treated drinking water.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/rain-barrel.jpg, Rain barrel https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/rain-barrel.jpg
<div class="ExternalClassA851CF3F0BE244F2AC207E45D615F51C"><p><strong>Save fall leaves</strong> in an old garbage can or tarp to keep them for use as mulch in the spring.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/save-dry-leaves.jpg, Save dry leaves https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/save-dry-leaves.jpg
<div class="ExternalClass9B5167357DF541D8BB8E7DE17F2F0C0F"><p><strong>Plant species native</strong> to our region. They are better suited to our climate, and can often thrive on rainfall alone.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/native-plants.jpg, Native Plants https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/native-plants.jpg
<div class="ExternalClass9E37A6DD29644BF8A6FCBBC743CB24F7"><p>Use a<strong> soaker hose to water</strong> deeply at the root, reducing water runoff.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/soaker-hose.jpg, Soaker hose https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/soaker-hose.jpg
<div class="ExternalClass7F8CB9C21CFD46C8AF8E257A74FB9055"><p> <strong>Group plants</strong> with similar watering needs to avoid overwatering those that don't require much water.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/group-plants.jpg, Group plants https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/group-plants.jpg
<div class="ExternalClass994C551040614D219A655512BA87AEA9"><p><strong>Install a shut-off nozzle</strong> on your hose to ensure it only runs when in use. ​An average garden hose delivers around 45 litres of water each minute.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/hose-valve.jpg, Hose valve https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/hose-valve.jpg
<div class="ExternalClassAE03BAAACAD046AC9727CAF152C7066F"><p>Put leaves and bark mulch around shrubs and trees to <strong>hold in moisture </strong>and slow evaporation.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/mulch.jpg, Mulch https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/mulch.jpg
<div class="ExternalClassECEEEA4C1BA24674A392EBA2E461E472"><p>Pull planter boxes <strong>into the shade</strong> so they won't dry out.<br></p></div>https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/planter-box.jpg, Planter box https://metrovancouver.org/welovewater/PublishingImages/planter-box.jpg

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