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DON’T DROWN:
Avoid over-watering lawns and gardens. Much of the water is never absorbed
anyway. Some water is lost to runoff by being applied too rapidly, and
some water evaporates from exposed, unmulched soil. But the greatest waste
of water comes from applying too much, too often. Instead of watering
for 20 minutes straight, water four times for 5 minutes each, with a 15-minute
break between each session. This will allow water to soak in, while minimizing
runoff.
WATCH THE CLOCK:
Watering in the evening isn't a good idea because leaf surfaces can remain
wet overnight --- an open invitation for fungal diseases. Midday watering
is better for plants, but bad for your water bill because of water loss
through evaporation. Try to water between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when the
sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Under these conditions,
leaf surfaces have a chance to dry out during the day, reducing the chance
of fungal diseases and conserving water due to reduced evaporation. Make
sure to use low angle nozzles in areas where wind is a factor.
PLAY THE ZONE:
The goal of any irrigation system is to give plants a sufficient amount
of water without waste. Divide your garden and landscaping areas into separate
irrigation zones so grass can be watered separately and more frequently
than groundcovers, shrubs and trees. Both sprinkler and drip irrigation
can be incorporated to achieve efficient use of water.
RAISE THE BLADE:
Trim grass at a higher mower setting to shade roots from sunlight and
encourage deeper roots.
WATER ONLY THINGS THAT GROW:
If you have an underground sprinkler system, make sure the sprinkler heads
are adjusted properly to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways. Also,
a properly adjusted sprinkler head should spray large droplets of water
instead of a fog of fine mist, which is more susceptible to evaporation
and wind drift.
CONSIDER DRIPPING:
When it comes to watering individual trees, flowerbeds, potted containers,
or other nongrassy areas, consider direct application of water to roots
using low volume “drip” emitters. By applying water slowly to soil, drip
irrigation is by far the most efficient way to water. The water flows
under low pressure through emitters, bubblers or spray heads placed at
each plant. Water applied by drip irrigation has little chance of waste
through evaporation or runoff, and will prevent unwanted weeds from growing.
GET YOUR HEADS CHECKED:
Since lawn and gardens should be watered in the early morning hours, a
problem may not be discovered until it is too late. Once a month turn
on your irrigation system, throw on your bathing suit and make sure everything
is working properly. A clogged head or a torn line can wreak havoc on
your landscape and water bill.
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MULCH:
Mulch, a layer of non-living material covering the soil surface around
plants, conserves water by significantly reducing moisture evaporation
from the soil. Mulch also reduces weed populations, prevents soil compaction
and keeps soil temperatures more moderate. Mulches can be organic materials
such as pine bark, compost and woodchips; or inorganic materials, such
as lava rock, limestone or permeable plastic, but not sheet plastic because
soil needs to breathe.
BE RAIN SMART:
Adjust your irrigation system as the seasons and weather change. Or better
yet, install a shut-off device that automatically detects rain. They are
inexpensive and in any case nature will be helping you to pay for it.
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