10 Ways to Save Water When Establishing Lawns
Save water and money by following these 10 simple methods:
- Reduce steep slopes in the design - level surfaces allow water to penetrate while steeper slopes encourage wasteful water to run-off.
- Test soil and amend – create the best possible growing medium with organic materials, pH balance and nutrients.
- Install an irrigation system – water efficiency is greatly improved with a designed system over hoses and especially hand-held sprinklers.
- Select drought tolerant varieties – scientific grass breeding has developed many varieties of improved turfgrasses.
- Sod rather than seed – Turfgrass sod requires 15 to 60 percent less water to establish a lawn than does seeding, depending on the area and conditions.
- Use a soil probe – water only when a probe or screw driver is difficult to push into the ground or shows the soil is dry.
- Water in the early morning or evenings – less wind drift and lower evaporation rates increase water efficiency use rates.
- Prevent run-off situations – apply water for brief periods or at reduced rates to allow greater penetration of the soil before run-off occurs.
- Match fertilizer to plant requirements – extension agents or professional agronomists can recommend timing and amounts of fertilizer needed by each grass variety. This reduces waste and mowing needs as well as overly succulent, water-wasting growth.
- Mow higher than normal with a sharp blade – larger leaf surfaces hold plant liquids and shade the root zone. Dull mower blades will increase moisture loss from the plant.
10 Ways to Save Water On Established Lawns
Save water and money by following these 10 simple methods:
- Mow as infrequently as possible – mowing puts the grass plant under additional stress and it will use more water.
- Mow higher than normal – greater leaf surfaces hold plant liquids and shade the root zone. Never remove more than ½ of the leaf blade in one mowing. Longer blades usually mean deeper, more efficient roots.
- Water and mow in the early evening or morning – less wind and heat reduces stress on the plant and allows for greater penetration and less run-off or evaporation.
- Water for deep penetration – interrupt watering when puddles or run-off occur, allow the water to penetrate into the soil before restarting. Light, infrequent sprinkling may actually do more hard than good.
- Spot water – drier areas near buildings and on slopes require more water than flat areas where water doesn’t run-off.
- Aerify or verticut turf – increased penetration of water and air will place the water where it can be used by the grass plant.
- Use a soil probe – water only when a probe or screw driver is difficult to push into the ground or shows the soil is dry.
- Match fertilizer to plant requirements – extension agents or professional agronomists can recommend timing and amounts of fertilizer needed by each grass variety. This reduces waste and mowing needs as well as overly succulent, water-wasting growth.
- Increase disease and insect control, with care – drought stressed turf is more susceptible to pest problems, but too much pesticide will increase stress in the plant.
- Accept a less than lush lawn – grass will naturally go dormant during periods of drought, but will readily regenerate when water becomes available. Reduce traffic on these areas if possible.
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