Which gardening method is recommended for water conservation?

Deep watering the lawn to the roots is recommended for water conservation for several reasons. This method encourages the development of deep root systems, which enables grass and plants to access moisture from deeper soil layers. When water is applied deeply and less frequently, it promotes drought resistance in plants and reduces the overall amount of water needed.

Deep watering also minimizes evaporation losses, as surface moisture tends to evaporate quickly, especially on hot days. This technique ensures that water penetrates deeply into the soil where it is most beneficial to the plants, rather than running off or evaporating before it can be absorbed.

In contrast, practices such as lightly watering multiple times a day lead to shallow root systems and increased evaporation, which does not contribute to efficient water use. Covering the lawn with mulch can help conserve moisture for garden beds but is not specifically applicable to lawns, while synthetic grass, while conserving water, involves other environmental considerations that may not align with sustainable gardening practices. Thus, deep watering to the roots stands out as the most effective water conservation technique in this context.