Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

With drought gripping much of the country, and the price of water on the rise, it’s become increasingly important to know how much water you use to irrigate your yard as well as how much it costs.

Most of us want to have that lush, green lawn and be the envy of the neighborhood. For some people, that means dragging out the garden hose with an attached sprinkler and moving it around several times in order to keep the grass sufficiently watered. However, that is also one of the most inefficient ways to water the lawn, and a vast amount of the water is completely wasted.

We all know our lawns need water. But “how much”, “how often” and “when” are the questions. Turf expert Dr. Trey Rogers explains that early morning is the best time to water (between 4am and 9am) because the rising sun will dry off grass leaves.

Many fuzzy leafed plants, such as African violets, don’t like water on their foliage because it leaves spots and can cause fungus. Deliver water past the leaves and directly to the roots with a simple funnel made from the handle of a plastic milk jug.

Keeping your lawn and garden watered is a chore that can be greatly benefited by sprinklers. Unfortunately, the options have been dragging around a portable sprinkler and guessing at the right location, or spending large amounts of money on an in-ground irrigation system. The Naan Undercover Sprinkler may be the compromise you’re looking for.

All of our landscapes need rain, and yet often it creates as many problems as it solves. The runoff from our roofs often destroys our flowerbeds. Instead of simply letting downspouts dump water into the garden, consider installing drainage grates underground to receive the runoff and carry it away to safer areas. The grates can be removed for cleaning from time to time.

Everyone knows that their gardens need water, but how much and how often can be a mystery. The key thing to be aware of is that fewer waterings for longer periods of time are better than many brief waterings.

Adequate moisture is essential for healthy plants. Before you plant your pots, try putting used wet tea bags in the bottom of the container. They will absorb water and release it slowly each time you water your plants. Tea bags and leaves are also reported to be good for your roses.

Strawberry pots may be attractive, but they’re inefficient for the growth and health of the plants. To make sure the plant is properly watered, take a section of PVC pipe and put it in the center of the planter.