7-22-2026 4:29pm

Water Advisory Council Encourages Healthy Summer Lawn Care That Naturally Reduces Water Use

A healthy lawn isn't just about appearance, it can also play an important role in conserving water and helping landscapes better withstand the challenges of hot summer weather. The Rockland County Water Advisory Council encourages homeowners to focus on simple lawn care practices that naturally reduce water demand while strengthening grass, gardens, and soil during the hottest months of the year.

Rather than relying on excessive watering, residents can often improve the health of their lawns through proper mowing, mulching, weeding, and use of natural rainfall. These practices help create stronger root systems, improve soil health, and reduce moisture loss throughout the summer season.

The Water Advisory Council encourages homeowners to implement these simple tips:

Raise mower blades during the summer months. Taller grass shades the soil, develops deeper root systems, and retains moisture more effectively, reducing the need for supplemental watering. Avoid mowing during periods of extreme heat to reduce stress on grass in general.

Apply mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperatures, and protect plant roots during hot weather.

Leave grass clippings on the lawn whenever practical. As they decompose, they return nutrients to the soil and can help reduce the need for additional fertilizer.

Choose native plants. Native trees, shrubs, and perennials are generally better adapted to New York's climate and often require less water once established. Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County for native plant suggestions.

Capture rainwater for outdoor watering. Rain barrels are an easy way to collect rainfall for watering gardens while reducing reliance on treated drinking water. You can find information on how to purchase a rain barrel HERE and Veolia customers can receive a $50 rebate on the purchase of one.

Plant a rain garden. Rain gardens capture and absorb stormwater from roofs, driveways, and other hard surfaces, helping to reduce runoff, improve water quality, replenish groundwater, and conserve water. Planted with native flowers, grasses, and shrubs, rain gardens also provide habitat for pollinators and increase resilience to heavy rainfall and drought. Learn more about how to install a rain garden from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland County.

Create vegetated riparian buffers. Property owners whose yards border streams are encouraged to leave a vegetated riparian buffer rather than mowing to the stream bank. Riparian buffers help reduce erosion, filter pollutants before they reach waterways, and provide valuable wildlife habitat. Through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Trees for Tribs program, eligible landowners can receive free trees and shrubs to help establish these protective buffers. Applications for this year’s are due by August 1. To learn more about Riparian buffers you can view our February webinar HERE and for more tips on irrigation practices you can view our March webinar HERE.

"Many homeowners assume more water is the best way to maintain a healthy lawn during the summer, but healthy landscapes begin with healthy lawn care practices," said Council Chair Beth Davidson. "Simple steps like raising one’s mower blades, removing weeds, applying mulch, and making better use of natural rainfall can help homeowners maintain attractive landscapes while conserving water—and reducing irrigation costs!"

As part of its ongoing educational outreach efforts, the Water Advisory Council will host its July Lunch & Learn webinar, "Hudson Valley Flood Resilience Network (FRN)," on July 30 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. As flash floods become more common during the summer due to seasonal storms, the webinar will highlight the FRN’s collaborative efforts to strengthen communities throughout the Hudson River estuary watershed. Participants will learn how local governments, regional organizations, and technical experts are working together to improve flood resilience through education, planning, and adaptation strategies.

Residents are encouraged to visit the Water Advisory Council's Water Hero website at https://rcklnd.us/waterhero for webinar registration, seasonal conservation tips, educational resources, and information about becoming a Rockland County H₂O Hero. Additionally, we encourage homeowners to participate in the Less Lawn More Life Challenge, which features educational resources to help protect our lands and waterways, including, "Too Much Water, Too Little: Rainwater Harvesting for Any Yard," by Brad Lancaster.

The Rockland County Water Conservation Project is funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

# # #

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RocklandWaterTF/

Visit our website: RocklandCountyNY.gov