Water conservation is a difficult topic. It is an area where needs, wants and desires are blurred into endless shades of gray, especially in times of plenty. I’ve heard in some countries they measure how much water a plant needs by the drop. They have to. Maybe we will someday too… My research shows that for most of us, the biggest reason we kill our plants and grass is that we saturate it with water to the point that the roots don’t get any oxygen and we create small swamp lands on our property.

In the Rocky Mountain western region of the United States of America, close to 60% of the water we use is used in our yards. Most of this is used to keep our lawn green. So, what can be done? What is a reasonable step to sustainability to take today?

Here are a few ideas:

• Xeriscape areas of grass that do not ‘need’ to be areas of grass for you. Xeriscaping includes using native plants that thrive on the seasonal water we get from rain and snow fall. Email me at Ken@nextlevelproperty.net to schedule a time to get a quote on Xeriscaping!

• The next biggest opportunity for water conservation related to outdoor water use is adjusting your sprinkler system seasonally. In the spring, you only need a couple of days of water per week, it is OK if your lawn is not the greenest the fastest, really it is. You simply need to increase the minutes of water as the temperature increases and you see what your lawn needs. If we get a large rain storm, adjust your sprinkler usage accordingly. Don’t waste water, by watering twice! In the late summer as temperatures decrease again, adjusts the minutes downward again… Providing plants and grass with the water they need will grow healthier plants and grass!

• Pay attention to what different areas of your lawn need. The more sun exposure, the more water, the less sun exposure, the less water… Zone by zone self auditing can save a lot of water! In addition, adjust sprinkler heads to water the grass… and not the cement or rocks…

• Cluster watering: This is probably the strangest concept to most of us urban dwellers. But, it is actually better for grass and plants to get a few deep waterings, clustered together and then for them to get water for a few minutes every other day. This entices the grass and plants to develop deeper, healthier root systems. Healthier root systems = healthier plants. So, instead of 15 minutes every other day, try different things on your lawn, like 20 minutes two times a week, or 30 minutes one day, three days with no water and then 25 minutes or 30 minutes, then three days off again… Adjust as needed… see what works for your plant needs.

Finally, just think of ways to use less water and you will. Every drop counts and every drop saved adds up.

Next Level Property Management recognizes that we are living in a time where many things in our world are shifting. The way we look at energy and resources is one of those important areas of shift. There are so many options to look at… but only so many we can take action on in any one month or year.  Yet, the importance of making educated decisions is clear.  Our Steps to Sustainability program will focus on ways that property owners and tenants can make a difference one step at a time.

Here is an overview

Here is an overview of some of the ares we will be exploring in the weeks and months ahead.

• Electrical Efficiency
• Natural Gas Efficiency
• Renewable sources of energy like, solar, geothermal and more
• Water Conservation
• Recycling
• Waste Management
• Green building materials
• Programs to pay attention to
• Financial Planning and sustainability
• New trends and ideas

We have a passion for doing the best we can with what we have. This earth is a gift from above. No matter what has happened or what will happen, the steps we take today, make a difference in the course of tomorrow. We are looking forward to exploring and taking these steps with you. Thank you, Ken Allen