Water-Wise Wonders: Utah Landscape Hacks to Save Money and Look Amazing

When you live in Utah, conserving water isn’t just better for the environment. It’s smart landscaping that saves you money. With periods of drought, sometimes unpredictable summer heat, and rising water costs, designing a yard that looks beautiful and respects water resources pays off. 

At Kilgore Landscaping, we’ve been serving Utah for over 40 years, supplying decorative rock, landscaping sand, bulk road salt, and pet‑safe, concrete‑friendly ice melts, and we understand the Utah landscape. Here are some water‑wise hacks to help your yard stay gorgeous while saving water.

Why Water‑Wise Landscaping Matters in Utah

Utah’s climate brings sunshine, low humidity, and dry spells that can strain both your landscape and your water bill. According to the Utah Division of Water Resources, outdoor water use, especially for grass lawns, often consumes more treated water than is necessary. Utah landscaping programs, water districts, and university extensions all emphasize water‑efficient landscaping: reducing lawn size, using native or drought‑tolerant plants, hydrozoning, mulching, efficient irrigation, soil improvement, and other methods.

Top Hacks for a Water‑Conscious Landscape

Here are practical strategies you can apply now to make your yard more water‑efficient:

1. Plan & Design with the Local Conditions in Mind

• Solar orientation, shade, slope, and soil type matter. Use shade from deciduous trees to reduce summer sun and allow winter sun in. On steep slopes, choose plants and garden soil Utah residents trust to reduce runoff.
  
  

• Use hydrozoning techniques, grouping plants by low, medium, and high water needs. That way, irrigation is used more intelligently, and you won’t water those plants that need little water the same as those that demand more.
  
  

2. Choose Plants That are Adapted to Utah’s Climate

• Utah-native and drought‑tolerant plants like certain shrubs, perennials, and ground covers do well with less water. They’re better adapted to local temperatures, garden soil Utah County, and environmental factors.
  
  

• Cut down on thirsty turfgrass. Lawns can be expensive in both water and maintenance. Replace or reduce lawns, and instead place plants, ground covers, or mulched beds in less-used areas.
  
  

3. Improve Soil Before You Plant

• Adding organic compost to the top layers of lawn soil helps with water infiltration, retention, and root development. Soil that holds moisture reduces how often you need to water.
  
  

• Test the pH, texture, and drainage of your soil where possible so you know what amendments or plant choices will work best.
  
  

4. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

• Either organic or inorganic mulch can be placed around plants and on exposed soil to keep moisture from evaporating and boost aesthetic appeal. Mulch also suppresses weeds and helps soil stay cooler.
  
  

• Rock mulches are often useful in the Utah landscape because they last longer than organic mulches like bark or wood chips. Decorative rock paired with landscaping sand can help reduce moisture loss while looking clean and classy.
  
  

5. Efficient Irrigation Is Key

• Use drip irrigation or micro‑sprays for planting beds as opposed to overhead sprinklers. This way, water goes directly to the roots.
  
  

• Water during the coolest parts of the day (early morning or late evening) to reduce evaporation. Avoid watering when it’s windy.
  
  

• Maintain your irrigation system. Check for leaks or misaligned heads, and make sure spray patterns don’t hit pavement. Upgrade old, inefficient sprinkler heads where needed.

6. Reduce Lawn Area or Use Water‑Efficient Turf

• Only keep grass in places where it’s useful, like play areas, patios, and places you walk on. Replace or reduce turf elsewhere.
  
  

• When using turf in Utah landscaping, select varieties labeled for water efficiency by looking for Utah‑recommended or TWCA‑certified turf. Mow to a higher height of around 2.5‑4 inches to help shade soil and develop deeper roots.
  
  

7. Capture & Reuse Water Where Possible

• Rain barrels/cisterns: collect runoff from roofs and use it for watering plants. Even capturing occasional rain helps.
  
  

• Make rain gardens or swales by shaping parts of your yard to capture water flow into planting beds. Instead of letting all the water run into storm drains, let the soil soak it up.
  
  

8. Smart Maintenance

• Weeds use water too. Keeping beds weed‑free helps your desirable plants thrive.
  
  

• Prune lightly, and don’t overfertilize. Plants that grow too fast often have shallow roots and need more water. Balanced fertilization helps maintain drought resilience.
  
  

• Monitor soil moisture using probes or simple tests rather than following a fixed watering schedule. Let the soil tell you when it needs water.

Bonus Incentives and Ways to Save

Some Utah communities have incentive programs to help homeowners convert lawns to low‑water landscaping, including rebates for turf removal and drip conversion. Some cities offer rewards for water‑efficient landscaping or enforce watering restrictions in summer, so going water‑wise not only saves you money but may help with compliance and avoiding fines.

A water‑wise yard doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty; it means landscaping smarter. With good planning, materials that work in Utah’s climate, efficient irrigation, and mindful maintenance, you can have a yard that truly captures Utah’s unique soul, using far less water and money in the process.

How Kilgore Landscaping Helps You Go Water‑Wise

Kilgore Landscaping’s conveniently-located Salt Lake landscape center supplies decorative rock and landscaping sand—both great tools for mulching, reducing water loss, creating hardscape features that need less watering, and providing lasting, low-maintenance surfaces. 

With over 40 years in the Utah landscaping game, we know what works here. From the dry sun of summer to snow and ice in winter, our materials and advice are suited to the regional weather and terrain.

Take Action Today

If you’re ready to make water‑wise Utah landscape changes, here’s the best course of action. First, walk your yard and note areas of sun and shade, slope, soil, where water gets used, and where it doesn’t. Decide on areas where you can make changes, like turf reduction, installing drip irrigation, or replacing plants.

If you have questions or want to talk about your options, call us at (801) 561-4231. You can also visit us at Kilgore Landscaping in West Jordan to see materials in person, get advice, and find what fits your style and your water needs.