As Utah heads into another hot, dry summer, water conservation is no longer just a government issue or a farmer’s issue. It belongs to all of us. And while individual efforts may sometimes feel small, they add up surprisingly quickly when multiplied across thousands of households.

Much of our residential water use happens outside in the garden. The good news is that many plants are tougher than we think. A plant that looks stressed or dormant is not necessarily dead. Before watering everything daily, ask which plants truly need regular watering and which ones could survive with less. Some perennials and shrubs can tolerate surprisingly long dry periods once established.

When you do water, water deeply and less often. Deep watering encourages roots to grow downward where the soil stays cooler and retains moisture longer. Frequent shallow watering does the opposite, creating weak, surface-level roots and greater evaporation losses.

Mulch may be one of the most powerful water-saving tools available. Vegetable beds, flower beds, and shrubs all benefit from a protective layer of mulch such as straw, bark, leaves, or wood chips. Mulch cools the soil, reduces evaporation, and suppresses weeds that compete for water. If using a high-carbon mulch like straw, avoid digging it directly into the soil at season’s end. Instead, remove it and allow it to compost naturally over time.

Water during cooler hours whenever possible, ideally early morning or late evening, and consider shade cloths for vegetable beds to reduce heat stress and evaporation. Even allowing lawns to become a little less green this summer can save substantial amounts of water overall.

Inside the home, simple habits still matter. Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full. Turn off the tap while brushing teeth. Collect clean water while waiting for the shower to warm up or while rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it on outdoor plants. Modern dishwashers are also far more efficient than many people realize, so scraping dishes rather than fully rinsing them can save gallons of water over time. 

No single household will solve Utah’s water challenges alone. But communities rarely change through one giant action. They change through thousands of small decisions repeated every day!

By Lisa Joss-Moore