As temperatures rise and the dry summer months settle in, local gardeners are looking for ways to keep landscapes healthy while using water wisely. One of the simplest and most effective tools is also one of the oldest: mulch.
The timing couldn’t be better. Through May, treated water use across the Nevada Irrigation District (NID) was approximately 9 percent above the District’s 14-year average, reflecting increased outdoor irrigation as warmer weather arrives.
Whether spread around vegetables, flowers, shrubs, or trees, mulch acts as a protective blanket for the soil. It helps retain moisture, reduces evaporation, suppresses weeds, and protects plant roots from extreme temperatures. By keeping water in the ground longer, mulch allows gardeners to water less frequently while helping plants stay healthy during the hottest months of the year.
June is one of the best times to apply mulch.
A fresh 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch locks in moisture before summer temperatures soar. It shields the soil from direct sunlight, slows moisture loss from drying winds, and helps keep roots cool during heat waves.
“Mulch is the sunscreen for your soil,” said Kaycee Margherita, NID’s Water Efficiency Technician. “Put it on in June, and your garden will stay cool and hydrated all summer long.”
To encourage water-efficient landscaping, NID has launched a Mulch Rebate Program to help customers improve water efficiency around their homes.
“Mulch is a great tool to help save water in gardening and landscaping,” Margherita said. “This program is designed to serve all our customers, whether they reside in Nevada County or Placer County. It offers applicants a high degree of flexibility, allowing them to choose their preferred nursery or store, as well as select the type of mulch that best suits their needs.”
NID customers can receive a rebate of up to $50 to purchase mulch from the vendor of their choice. The rebate is credited directly to the customer’s water account.
The rebate serves as a reminder that water conservation is important every year and not just during droughts. Simple actions such as watering during the cooler parts of the day, fixing leaks, installing efficient fixtures, replacing thirsty lawns with water-wise landscaping, and using mulch can add up to meaningful water savings across the community.
For gardeners, mulch may be one of the easiest conservation practices available. Beyond reducing water use, it helps improve soil health, limit weed growth, and reduce the amount of time spent maintaining garden beds throughout the season. In many cases, a single afternoon spent mulching can provide benefits that last for months.
Water supplies remain in excellent condition heading into summer. As of June 3, NID reservoirs held 265,691 acre-feet of water, representing 108 percent of the district’s 12-year average and 98 percent of total storage capacity.
While supplies are strong, efficient water use remains important. Conservation helps stretch available supplies, reduces pressure on water treatment and delivery systems, and ensures water is available when demand peaks during the hottest months of the year.
The Mulch Rebate Program is one of several conservation incentives available through NID. Other programs include rebates for high-efficiency toilets, raw water storage tanks, and turf-removal projects that replace traditional lawns with water-efficient landscapes.
Summer is just around the corner. With a little planning and a layer of mulch, gardeners can conserve water, protect their plants from the heat, and help make every drop count.
For more information about the Mulch Rebate Program, including voucher availability, contact Water Efficiency Technician Kaycee Margherita at 530-273-6185 ext. 1244 or email margheritak@nidwater.com.
This article appears in NID.
