Tips to reduce watering in the garden, landscape and yard and still keep plants alive : Mulch around plants with shredded bark mulch, aged compost mix or aged manure mix If you can't mulch large areas, spread a good layer of straw (not hay) Hoeing the ground around the plants brings moisture closer to the surface for the plants Plant perennials close together to shade the ground Use soaker hoses where needed instead of overhead watering When watering with a garden hose, water only the ground around the base of the plant and not the leaves on the plant Water late evening or early morning only...