HIGHER GROUND GARDENS

Watering Restrictions Explained

In 2022, Metro Vancouver brought in stronger lawn watering restrictions to conserve our drinking water supply and meet the demand of a growing population and the effects of climate change.

Stop Watering Your Lawn…

Let your lawn go dormant in summer, it will be yellow and dry, but will bounce back to a lush emerald green once the rains begin. Watering restrictions start May 1st regardless of the weather. Be sure to have your irrigation company set timers accordingly.

…But Keep Watering your Shrubs and Trees

Many homeowners were afraid to water their shrubs and trees last year because of the threat of fines coming from the City. Let’s get clear:

“Watering trees, shrubs, and flowers is permitted any day from 5am to 9am if using a sprinkler, or any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device.”

Consider watering any trees that are showing signs of drought stress and start now.

Signs of drought stress:

• Excessive numbers of seeds covering the entire tree

• Yellowing of leaves

• Excessive dropping of leaves

How to water deeply:

• Leave a soaker hose on drought stressed or mature trees for 8 hours

• Put a hose on a slow trickle for two hours per quadrant around the base of the tree and move through all four quadrants for a total of 8 hours

• Let water to percolate deeply into the root zone

• Repeat once or twice per month, up to weekly during drought