Use trickle irrigation, soaker hoses, rotary or impact sprinklers to improve water absorption and reduce runoff. Ask your local garden center or local Cooperative Extension Service for help choosing low-water use plants. Mulching also helps control weeds and reduces your dependence on chemical herbicides. They use more water than most plants. For fescue lawns, increase your mowing height to 3 inches or more.
Longer leaf blades shade the soil and help retain moisture.