Although the Summer Solstice is still weeks away and the transition to El Niño is not yet manifest, water is an urgent concern. Before the marathon of 90- and 100-degree temperature days, there are still preparations that one can take to avoid the unnecessary death of plants and trees (and the myriad creatures that depend upon them) later this summer–while respecting watering restrictions ( https://www.austintexas.gov/department/find-your-watering-day).
Apart from free tools like soil moisture readers for residential customers and free irrigation system evaluations for qualifying customers, Austin Water has many valuable rebates (https://www.austintexas.gov/department/rebates-tools-programs). Due to specific installation periods, one has to plan ahead to take advantage of the WaterWise Landscape (turf grass conversion) and Rainscape programs, but there are also year-round programs for rainwater harvesting, watering timers, irrigation upgrades, and “laundry-to-landscape” greywater reuse. The Landscape Survival Tools Rebate helps with mulch, compost and core aeration service.
It is important to get the maximum life-sustaining value out of all precious water. The Natural Gardener has helpful guides concerning how to properly water trees and plants considering their type, whether they are in containers or in the ground, whether they are newly planted or established, the season, the soil type and microclimate: https://tngaustin.com/how-to-water/. One local company offers modern ollas of varied sizes to make the ancient practice of clay-pot irrigation convenient for container or other small gardens: https://drippingspringsollas.com/.
North Loop Neighborhood Association 