Tip one: Plant some waterwise plants.
Fall is a great time think about how to include water-efficient perennials, shrubs, trees, and more in your garden. Our long rainy season helps new plants establish strong roots. Consider creating “watering zones” in your landscape by grouping together plants that require similar soil, sunlight, and watering needs. When all the plants in an area have similar water needs, it’s easier to avoid overwatering or underwatering individual plants.
Tip two: Apply mulch to your garden.
Fall is a great time to mulch your landscape because it can help protect your beds from winter erosion, add nutrients to the soil, and keep unwanted weeds from growing. In addition, many of us have mulch material readily on hand (fallen leaves!). For best results, try applying one to two inches of compost, leaves, or sawdust or two to four inches of coarsely shredded bark or wood chips as your mulch. Keep mulch several inches away from the trunks of trees and shrubs to prevent root rot.
Tip three: Turn off automatic irrigation systems.
Your garden will likely need less watering in the fall due to cooler temperatures and shorter days. Whether you have an in-ground, drip, or hand-watering system, you should drain and shut off outdoor faucets and irrigation equipment after the rainy season starts. This also helps prepare for freezing conditions in winter.
Tip four: Apply for a rebate for your irrigation controller or sprinkler head upgrades.
If you installed a new smart irrigation controller or multistream sprinkler heads this year, check to see if your hardware qualifies for a rebate. Any active City of Portland drinking water account is eligible—just be sure to apply for the rebate within one year of the hardware purchase date. If you’re planning to upgrade your irrigation system, you can learn more about our irrigation rebates here.