• Collect rainwater in a barrel or other large container, and use the water for your garden or lawn.
• Use soaker hoses and drip irrigation to reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation and run off by up to 70 percent. Water is delivered right where it is needed.
• Avoid over–cutting grass; keep it around five to eight centimeters (two to three inches) high. Taller grass holds water better.
• Freshly transplanted and young garden plants need small amounts of water applied frequently until they are established. Drip watering tubes are ideal.
• Use layers of grass clippings or wood chips around plants, shrubs and trees to hold and retain water or compost them.
• Be sure to shut off all outdoor taps tightly and inspect them regularly for leaks. Winter takes its toll on outside taps. Repair any leaks promptly.
• Landscape your yard to minimize rain and sprinkler water run–off. Consider planting ground cover other than grass. Ideas:
  http://www.city.ottawa.on.ca/city_services/yourhealth/
  environmental/lawn_5_4_en.shtml
• Select and plant new shrubs, trees, plants and groundcover that are native to your area. They generally require little more water than nature provides.
• Sweep dirt and grass clippings off sidewalks and driveways rather than hosing with large amounts of water.
• Re–seed bare patches in your lawn as soon as possible to avoid soil erosion.
• Help reduce harmful soil erosion by taking measures to channel rainwater run–off so that it collects and then filters slowly down through the soil, rather than running off rapidly into storm drains or streams.
• Don't use preserved wood or old railway ties near a vegetable garden. Rain can wash chemicals out of the wood and into the soil.

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