Here are a few ways to save money outside:

Plush green lawns are lovely, but keeping them watered can be expensive. Running a sprinkler for about an hour uses 400 gallons of water.

When planning your landscape, consider drought-resistant plants. Zoysia, Bermuda and St. Augustine grasses tend to enjoy long hot summers and can stay green longer without rain or watering.

When mowing, set the mower blade up one notch. Taller grass will retain moisture longer.

If you must water, consider these best practices:

Early morning and late evening are the best times to avoid evaporation.

Carefully place your sprinklers to avoid wasting water on sidewalks or streets.

Consider using a rain barrel. Typically a small investment, these vessels catch rain and can even be equipped with small pumps for sprinklers.

Water long to allow moisture to soak down to the roots where it is most needed. Watering for only a short time will encourage shallow root growth, and the water will evaporate quickly.

If you own a pool, cover it when you’re not using it. Pools can lose thousands of gallons of water a month due to evaporation.