WATER USE EFFICIENCY TIPS
- One inch per week is all your lawn needs. Watering less often produces a deeper, healthier root system. Over watering promotes shallow root growth, making your lawn less hardy.
- Adjust sprinklers. If you have water running down your driveway or road - you are using TOO much! Runoff from over watered lawns washes away topsoil, fertilizer and pesticides that pollute our waterways. Do not water on windy days.
- Use soaker hoses when possible.
- Use hose timers - available at any garden store.
- Use native, drought resistant plants.
- Sweep, do not hose, your sidewalks and driveways.
- Apply mulch to cool the soil surface, reduce evaporation, and retard weed growth.
- Aerate your lawn, it will use less water and be healthier.
- Plant in the spring or fall, when watering requirements are lower.
- When choosing plants, remember the smaller ones require less water to become established.
- Read your meter. To find out where you use water most, read your meter before and after watering each zone. Armed with that information, you can decide how best to conserve water around your garden.
If you are adding a sprinkler system, remember you need to install an approved backflow assembly and complete a new water use questionnaire. |
LAWN WATERING GUIDE
Here is a simple way to determine your watering needs
- Place several flat bottom (tuna) cans around your lawn.
- Turn on sprinkler(s) for 15 minutes.
- Measure water depth in cans with a ruler and determine average depth.
- Use the following chart and read the number of minutes you should water every third (3rd) day. Record the time for future reference.
Average Depth
1/8" 1/4" 3/8" 1/2" 5/8" 3/4" 1" 1-1/8"
Minutes to Water Every Third (3rd) Day
60 30 20 15 12 10 8 7
REMINDER
Use this chart as a guide ONLY. Alter your watering practices according to weather conditions.
SKIP AT LEAST ONE (1) SCHEDULED DAY AFTER ANY SUBSTANTIAL RAINFALL (1/4" OR MORE). Any questions or comments, please call us at
253-537-6634. |
