Outdoor water usage is probably one of the biggest uses of water. We water our yards, wash our cars and fill our swimming pools and waterfalls. Here in Montgomery county we get a lot of rain and the humidity reduces evaporation considerably in comparison with an arid region like Arizona or New Mexico. Summer usage is the largest. Here, in Montgomery County, Texas, it increases from three to eight times that of winter usage, due to all the above activities. Visit your utility district's web site for data for your area. For The Woodlands in South Montgomery County Texas: Woodlands Joint Powers Agency.

Composting, mulching, xeriscaping are the most common methods of reducing water usage in the garden. These are complimented by using grey water and collecting rainwater.

Composting is easy to do. It requires organic material, water, nutrients and a little TLC. The volume and method depend on the area you have to work with. If you have room in your yard, a composting pile or bin is one method. There are different types of compost bins. Some compost is mixed by hand driven tumblers that look like small cement trucks. There is a handle, you turn it and it rotates the container with the compost. Do not add meat, poultry, dairy, grease - see compostguide.com

Mulching is also easy. Materials that can be used are straw, grass clippings, shredded newspaper, leaves, compost and bark chips. 

Xeriscaping is landscaping with your area, not fighting it. Native plants are the mainstay. They are more drought and freeze resistant, perennial or reseed easily and are more disease resistant.  

Energy makers are solar panels and wind mills. They are available to fit almost any size of building or land area. Small windmills can be mounted on your roof that are about the size of a satellite dish. Solar panels can be designed to generate the most energy for your roof design, area and other considerations such as trees and buildings. They can also be used to power small electronics.