Water Conservation

Check out our Waterwise Gardening Guide full of yard maintenance and irrigation tips for North Okanagan residents. Looking for plant suggestions? Okanagan Xeriscape Association Plant Database has got hundreds of plants that love our naturally dry climate.  Too many choices? Then the Waterwise Plant Collection is for you - a short list of plants most nursery's stock.

You can have a beautiful yard and save water!

RDNO-GRO is FREE composted yard waste available at the Greater Vernon Diversion & Disposal Facility. It’s perfect for mulching, which helps your soil hold on to water, and makes a great weed suppressant. Putting down 5-10 centimeters of mulch is a great start, and you can put down a layer of cardboard first to help deter weeds.  Mulches like RDNO-Gro are easier to maintain than rock, which is commonly associated with low-water yards. Rock holds more heat, drying out plants and reflecting heat onto buildings, and is harder to weed. Try compost or bark mulch and you'll never go back to rock. Save that gorgeous granite for pathways and edging. 

A good contractor can help you get the most out of your automatic irrigation system and set up efficient systems like drip or microjet irrigation. The RDNO has created a helpful checklist for selecting a professional contractor that will help you achieve your waterwise gardening goals.

Tips on building garden beds irrigated by water from your roof, driveway, patio, or any other hard surface you can direct stormwater from.

Building your own rain barrel system to harvest water is an economical way to collect rain water. Check out the DIY video and detailed instructions.

Restrictions are based on expert advice on keeping plants healthy in our arid climate. Most plants do not need daily water - following the Normal restrictions schedule of watering up to 3 times a week is actually recommended for strong roots. Watering at night means less water is lost to evaporation and more water goes to your plants.

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Restrictions are in effect year-round, meaning that outdoor lawn and garden watering is only allowed between 7pm and 10am, unless hand watering with a watering can or hose with an automatic spring-loaded shut-off nozzle.  Higher restriction stages may be implemented in times of drought or supply loss due to contamination of our water supply. Details can be found here.