https://txlandscapingmasonry.com/2026/01/05/ways-to-use-less-water-on-your-lawn/
Ways To Use Less Water On Your Lawn. Central Texas lawns in 2026 face the same core challenge they did years ago: how to stay green and attractive through hot, dry weather and watering restrictions. The answer is not “more water,” but smarter design, better soil, and efficient irrigation that respects both your budget and local resources.
Below is a modular, question driven guide that blends up to date water wise practices with tried and true principles that still work in Georgetown and across Williamson County today.
Why Should You Rethink Lawn Water Use in 2026? Drought cycles, rising water costs, and stricter local watering rules make traditional “wall to wall turf” lawns harder to justify. Cities across Central Texas continue to encourage or incentivize water conservation through education, rebates, and occasional restrictions on irrigation days.
For homeowners, that means:
Less tolerance for wasteful sprinklers that overspray sidewalks or run during rain. Higher long term savings when you design a lawn that thrives on less water rather than constantly fighting the climate.
B&B Landscaping & Masonry has seen this shift first hand over two decades in Williamson County projects, moving many clients toward native plants, improved soil, and efficient systems instead of just more turf.
How Can Smarter Irrigation Cut Your Water Use? Are you watering deeply and infrequently? In 2026, best practice is still to water deeply but less often so roots grow down rather than staying shallow near the surface. Most Central Texas lawns do best with about 1 inch of water per week (including rainfall), adjusted for heat and soil type.
Use a simple “tuna can test” to measure how much your sprinklers deliver in 15 minutes. Aim for early morning watering to reduce evaporation and wind drift.
Should you upgrade to smart controllers and better heads? Modern irrigation tech has advanced since 2019, and many systems now include:
Smart controllers that adjust run times based on weather data, rainfall, and season. Pressure regulated, rotary nozzles that deliver larger water droplets more slowly, improving soil absorption and cutting runoff.
Paired with a professional audit (checking for leaks, misaligned heads, and overspray), these upgrades can reduce outdoor water use by 20–50% compared with older systems.
What Landscape Design Changes Save the Most Water? Should you reduce the amount of turf? The single biggest water saver is reducing the area of thirsty turfgrass and replacing it with drought tolerant plantings and hardscape.
Strategic options include:
Converting unused side yards or narrow strips into mulched beds with native shrubs and perennials. Replacing part of the front lawn with stone or flagstone patios, gravel seating areas, or dry creek beds that also handle drainage.
B&B Landscaping & Masonry frequently designs hybrid yards: a smaller, healthy lawn framed by beds, paths, and stonework that need minimal irrigation.
What is xeriscaping, and is “zeroscaping” a good idea? True xeriscaping uses drought tolerant, often native or adapted plants, improved soil, and efficient irrigation to dramatically reduce water use while still providing greenery and habitat.
So called “zeroscaping”—covering the yard in rock with little or no planting—often leads to:
Excess reflected heat. Poor stormwater absorption. A harsh look that may not fit neighborhood standards.
Thoughtful xeriscaping remains the better, long term approach in 2026 for both comfort and property value.
How Does Soil Health Help You Water Less? Are you improving soil before you plant? Healthy soil acts like a sponge, holding water where roots can reach it. Many Central Texas yards sit on compacted clay or thin soil over limestone, which sheds water quickly and forces shallow roots.
Water wise steps include:
Core aeration once or twice a year to relieve compaction. Topdressing with finished compost to build organic matter and improve structure. Ensuring proper grading so water flows away from the home but can infiltrate planting areas instead of rushing down the street. Why does mulch matter so much? A 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch around trees, shrubs, and in beds:
Reduces evaporation from the soil surface. Moderates soil temperature in both heat and cold. Helps suppress weeds that compete for moisture.
Mulch should be pulled a few inches back from trunks and stems to prevent rot, but otherwise left in place year round, refreshed as it decomposes.
Which Plants Belong in a Water Wise Central Texas Lawn? Are you using native and adapted species? Native and well adapted plants require far less supplemental water once established because they evolved for this climate. The City of Austin’s Grow Green program and similar regional guides highlight species that:
Tolerate drought and poor soils. Resist common local pests and diseases. Provide food and habitat for birds and pollinators.
Popular options include:
Ornamental grasses like Lindheimer muhly or Gulf muhly. Shrubs such as Texas sage, dwarf yaupon holly, and agarita. Flowering perennials like black eyed Susan, autumn sage, and lantana.
Mixing these with a smaller area of Bermuda or Zoysia turf helps balance function and conservation.
Should you change how you mow? Mowing higher (generally 2–3 inches for warm season grasses) shades the soil, reduces evaporation, and encourages deeper roots. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn (mulch mowing) returns nutrients and organic matter, helping soil hold water better over time.
How Can You Make These Changes Feel Manageable? The most successful water wise lawns in 2026 are built in phases, not overnight.
A practical sequence might be:
Fix obvious waste: adjust sprinklers, repair leaks, and set a smarter watering schedule. Improve soil: aerate and topdress priority areas with compost. Reduce turf where it makes sense: convert one area per year to beds or hardscape. Add natives and adapted plants: start with a few high impact corners or along walks and drives. Consider a smart controller and more efficient nozzles once the layout is stable.
Over a few seasons, you trade a demanding, water hungry yard for a resilient landscape that reflects Central Texas conditions and your lifestyle.
Proven Older Advice That Still Applies Today Much of what homeowners were advised in 2019 remains solid practice in 2026 and should still guide your decisions:
Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and wind loss, and avoid midday watering that wastes water and can stress plants. Check for leaks and overspray regularly—water running into the street or pooling on hardscape is wasted and can damage surfaces. Choose drought tolerant turf varieties appropriate for Central Texas (like Bermuda or Zoysia) instead of high water cool season grasses. Use mulch generously in beds and around trees to conserve moisture and protect roots. Incorporate native and adapted plants that need little, if any, supplemental fertilizer or chemicals, helping protect local streams, lakes, and aquifers.
B&B Landscaping & Masonry has been applying these principles since the early 2000s in Georgetown, Liberty Hill, and surrounding areas, and they remain the foundation of any responsible, attractive, and water wise lawn in 2026.
B&B Landscaping & Masonry in Williamson County, Texas, lives up to its moniker of being “A Step Above the Rest” by offering comprehensive landscaping and masonry services. With 16 years of experience, they provide a wide range of services, including landscape design and installation, hardscaping, patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and various masonry projects like retaining walls and fencing. Whether you need a complete landscape transformation or specific masonry work, B&B Landscaping & Masonry is dedicated to delivering quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction throughout Williamson County.