Watering can be skipped when it rains. Avoid watering on windy days or midday when evaporation is high. Water your lawn three days a week, and only in the morning before the sun is overhead. Get to know how plants signal for water. Grass tends to lie flat after being stepped on if moisture is low.
Some plants lose their gloss and start to droop a little before wilting.
The time to water is when the plants need it - rigid watering schedules waste water. Adjust sprinklers to avoid watering the sidewalk or driveway. Train your plants to develop deep roots by watering thoroughly but infrequently. Deeper roots will enable plants to utilize moisture deep in the ground, making them healthier and stronger. Prevent runoff by watering for shorter periods at half hour intervals.