He said native plants also should be carefully selected for how they will look and function to best use available water. And even if homeowners aren't ready to let go of the non-natives, Dromgoole and others said they can cut back on their water use and costs. First, Dromgoole said, lawns can be mulched and organically fertilized. Unlike chemical fertilizers, he said, mulch and organic fertilizers help plants and lawns retain and best use water. Another water-saving tip is to raise the level of lawnmower blades.
Shorter grass exposes the soil to more heat and sun.
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