5 Solutions Families Can Do to Help with the California Drought

Thank you to Scotts® EveryDrop™ for sponsoring this post. All content and opinions expressed are my own. This article contains affiliate links.

The California drought is no joke. My family and I walked through a local hike, normally a place overflowing with streams. This time however, the streams were mere trickles of the water left after the summer heat. We also visited a botanical garden but found an empty lot where the lake should have been. And on the way home, I see freeway signs that say, “Serious Drought: Limit Outdoor Watering.”

Further north, farmers—many of whom provide produce not just for Californians but for the rest of the country—struggle with the water shortages as well. When my family and I drove to San Francisco a few months ago, signs along farmlands urged Californians to conserve water, to contact their state representatives—anything to bring light to this dire situation.

It doesn’t help that we’re going through a crazy heat wave right now either. The last week brought crazy weather so hot even our schools debated calling “heat days.”

My family and I do as much as we can to help mitigate the water shortage. Water conservation has always been top priority for us, drought or not. But now more than ever.

Whether you live in California or not, you can conserve water. Here are 5 solutions families can do to help:

#1: Talk about the drought.

The drought can be a scary concept for kids to understand. Educate your kids about the natural rhythms of droughts and why they happen.

Then, empower them with things they can do to help. You don’t want to scare your child into feeling like the earth is in trouble. But you can also emphasize all the things you can do to conserve water. For instance, make water conservation a family affair. Write their concerns to government leaders. And talk about the importance of saving water, both in big ways and small.

#2: Plant drought-friendly and native plants.

Plants native to California adapt better to their natural environment. They’re likely more drought-friendly than non-native plants and therefore don’t need as much water. Think succulents, heat-resistant plants and those that don’t need daily watering.

#3: Double up on baths.

Our two-year-old twins currently share bath time. Not only is it easier to handle two bath times, we’re also slashing our water use. Similarly, introduce your older kids to the shower when they’re ready. My eldest has been taking showers instead of baths, cutting down our water even more.

#4: Limit water play.

I couldn’t peel my kids away from one of the water play stations at a local park. The play station included a faucet that poured water onto sand, making for fun and messy play. The problem of course, is that the play station was wasting water. Same with games that involve spraying others with water or leaving the sprinklers on to run through. Sadly, the water shortage takes higher priority over water play for us. Now, we limit water play or find alternatives that are just as fun.

#5: Use Scotts® EveryDrop™ for your garden needs.

Have you noticed when you water your lawn and garden that the water pools up or runs off? Rather than moving into the roots like it’s supposed to, the water stays on the surface. Or worse, it streams to the sidewalk. EveryDrop is a blend of wetting agents that move water into the soil where it’s most needed. Whether you rely on rain or sprinklers, EveryDrop is an efficient way to use available water.

EveryDrop is so efficient that gardeners use up to 25% less water. Even with this drought, we can still have the gardens we want by using water in smart and thoughtful ways. Whether you plan to water your lawn or avoid it altogether, EveryDrop makes the most of any available water.

Folks here have gotten creative with their lawns and gardens. From spray-painting their lawns green to re-landscaping, Californians are responding to the water shortage. One of the easiest ways to manage your lawn and garden is to use Scotts EveryDrop.

You can find EveryDrop at Home Depot, Lowe’s and Orchard Hardware Supply.

Conclusion

Families can get creative with how they conserve water, especially during this challenging time. Double up on baths and re-use water. Limit water play and educate your kids about the drought. And use Scotts EveryDrop for your gardens and lawns. The California drought is real, folks. Any chance we can get to save water will help.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts® EveryDrop™.

Your turn: How are you conserving water? How has the California drought affected you?