SITE INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS: To conduct a site inventory and analysis with water conservation in mind, determine what plants have a high water demand. Learn the prevailing wind directions, patterns of sun and shade, existing topography and soil type on a site in order to improve growing conditions. Assess the condition and placement of your plants; do they conform to the principles of water use zones as outlined below? Note existing large expanses of lawn and ways to minimize these areas to some extent if possible.

CREATE WATER-USE ZONES: A well designed water-conserving landscape organizes the landscape into water use zones. Plants are re-arranged into three water use zones; high, moderate and low. Group water- demanding plants together close to the water source if they are spread out through the garden. The high use zone should comprise the smallest area, such as a planting near the front of the home, where ornamentals are easily visible and near the water source. The largest numbers of plantings should be in the low water use zone, where established plants need no supplemental irrigation. Drought tolerant turf grasses, woody ornamentals and native or naturalized plants fit into this category. Moderate use zones would include plants that need to be watered as they show signs of drought stress. 

LANDSCAPE TO CONSERVE ENERGY: Environmentally sound landscape techniques include planting for energy conservation and microclimate improvement.

WATER HARVESTING: Saving rainwater is a simple, water-wise idea. Connect downspouts from roof gutters to a plastic rain barrel equipped with a tap to save every precious drop of rainfall. The rain barrel will come with a top filtering screen to keep out leaves, twigs and very importantly, mosquito larvae, which breed in standing water. Try to utilize this water as soon as possible to avoid larval breeding. To easily water your garden, attach a hand-held hose with shut-off nozzle to the barrel's tap.

WATER EFFICIENT IRRIGATION: Traditional sprinklers require high water pressure and waste almost 25-30% water due to evaporation and wind effect. Most existing water wasteful systems can be refitted with low-flow components to deliver water precisely where it is needed--- to the root area. With systems such as point/source drip, micro irrigation, drip line, and soaker hose, less water is wasted, uptake of nutrients and moisture is maximized and soilborne diseases can be reduced, as leaf surfaces are kept dry.

WATER-WISE HORTICULTURAL TECHNIQUES: