What feature is typically used in water-efficient landscaping to minimize water waste?

Water-efficient landscaping often employs drip irrigation systems to minimize water waste effectively. This method allows water to be delivered directly to the roots of plants in a slow and controlled manner. As a result, it reduces evaporation and runoff, ensuring that more water is absorbed by the plants where it is needed most. Drip irrigation can also be easily adjusted to match the specific water requirements of different plant species, making it a highly efficient option for conserving water in landscaping.

In contrast, traditional sprinkler systems tend to apply water over a broad area, which can lead to significant evaporation and overspray. Surface flooding techniques can cause uneven water distribution, potentially leading to water waste and leading to saturated or dried-out patches in a landscape. Automatic hose timers may manage the timing of watering but do not inherently ensure that water is used efficiently, especially if a less efficient system like traditional sprinklers is utilized.