In Northern California we're always conserving water.  The northern part of California gets the majority of the winter rains and snowpack. However, a large percentage of our water travels south to the dry, arid land that is deceiving in appearance as it has been landscaped as a lush tropical paradise.  And, at a cost.

We have water-thirsty cotton and other crops growing in what is essentially desert land, and water-thirsty rice in the northern more Mediterranean climate.  While these crops are important, they should be grown where water isn't so scarce, where rainfall occurs more than six months of the year.

Increasingly our governments and citizens are waking up to water's finite possibilities everywhere.  Our thirsty planet is running out of fresh, potable water.

In California, where we experience periodic droughts, which are occurring more frequently with global weather changes, we are water savvy.  We are an example that should be followed everywhere in our country, to conserve all that we can and never take water for granted.

Here are just a few water-wise tips:

• Keep a bucket in the shower to catch the water before it warms up.  That can add up to five gallons per shower!  Use that water in the garden or to flush the toilet.

• Don't flush the toilet every time you use it.  Flush when you must, but it isn't necessary every time.

• Take three-minute showers whenever possible.  Get wet, turn the water off while you suds your body, then turn it on to rinse off.

• Use a metal or plastic container in the kitchen sink to catch water and use the water to fill pots that need soaking or to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

• Run the dishwasher full and use the energy-conserving button if it has one.

• Run only full loads of clothes.

• Get an Evolve eco-friendly shower head that saves water if you step away from the shower by stopping the flow to a trickle.

• Turn the faucet off while brushing teeth.  Fill a glass of water first and use that for rinsing your mouth.  Leaving the water running uses on average over two gallons of water.

• Cool pasta or  water to boil corn, and pour it on the plants.  They'll appreciate any nutrients remaining in the water.

• Water the garden before 10:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m. to minimize evaporation.

• Substitute hardy ground covers for lawn.  You'll still have green to enjoy but it's not nearly as water-thirsty as grass.

• Spread a layer of compost or water-preserving bark around plants.

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