Water Outdoors Improve the soil structure - work organic material such as peat moss or compost into the soil to help retain water and assist in plant growth. Aerating your yard once a year also will help it retain water. Cut down on grass - grass requires up to four times as much water as other plants. Cut back on the amount of grass in your yard by planting shrubs or ground cover or putting in rock gardens. Once established, they do not need to be watered as frequently and they usually will survive a dry period without any watering.
Group plans together based on similar water needs.
Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway can waste hundreds of gallons of water. Water your lawn in the early mornings to reduce evaporation. When you do water, water long enough for moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good.