 |
Water
before 8 A.M. or after 6 P.M. and avoid
watering on windy days. |
|
Water
in several short sessions rather than one
long one. For example, three ten minute
sessions spaced 30 minutes to an hour apart
will allow your lawn to better absorb moisture
than one straight 30 minute session. |
|
Only
water when your lawn is thirsty. Over watering
promotes shallow root growth making your
lawn less hardy. (To determine if your lawn
needs to be watered, simply walk across
the grass. If you leave footprints, it's
time to water.) |
|
Install
moisture sensors in each irrigation zone
(sunny, shady, etc.) to better determine
irrigation needs. |
Sprinklers/Sprinkler Systems |
|
Check sprinkler
system valves periodically for leaks and keep
the heads in good repair. |
|
Adjust the timer
on automatic sprinklers according to seasonal
water demands and weather conditions. |
|
Install a rain
shutoff device on automatic sprinklers to
eliminate unneeded applications. |
|
Make sure your
sprinkler is placed so it only water the lawn,
not the pavement. |
|
Avoid sprinklers
that spray a fine mist, which increases evaporation. |
Drip Irrigation |
|
Install
a drip irrigation system for watering gardens,
trees and shrubs. |
|
Drip
irrigation provides a slow, steady trickle
of water to plants at their roots through
a network of hidden pipes and hoses. The
systems are regulated by a controller that
can be adjusted for different levels of
watering according to the needs of the plants.
Drip irrigation systems reduce over watering,
inefficient watering, weed growth, and the
time and labor involved in hand watering. |
Facts |
|
As
much as 30% of water can be lost to evaporation
by watering the lawn during midday. |
|
Homes
with in-ground sprinkler systems use 35%
more water outdoors than those who do not
have an in-ground system. One reason may
be that system controllers are not adjusted
according to seasonal irrigation needs. |
| |
Other Tips |
