The rules allow you to use your sprinklers only one day a week between 7 a.m. and 1p.m.
Soaker hoses are counted as sprinklers for the drought restrictions.
They are leaky hoses when you turn them over so that the water seeps directly on the ground.
Ideally, a soaker or leaky hose can be used at low pressure (one half turn) so the water just sweats or leaks out just as efficiently as drip irrigation.
The drought restrictions allow San Antonio to do its part to protect the endangered species and other downstream interests with minimal stress on our landscapes and economic activity, and without having to own extra amounts of expensive water — water that would only be used in drought times but would have to be paid for at other times when it was not needed.
The lawn greens up again as soon as the rains restart.
Well established, well-adapted plants such as oak trees, hollies and Texas mountain laurel should not require supplemental irrigation.
Newly planted shrubs and trees, however, do not have an extensive root system developed so they may need supplemental hand watering at the base to make sure that the root ball is wetted.
Treat plants less than two years in the ground as newly planted.
Use drip irrigation and water enough to keep the foliage thick and green.