Lawn & Turf Irrigation

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Purchase a rain gauge... or use the old-fashioned Tuna Can method to monitor the amount of water you're applying to your lawn

• Water only on your scheduled day
• Water early in the morning or late in the evening

Purchase a rain gauge... or use the old-fashioned Tuna Can method to monitor the amount of water you're applying to your lawn. The average lawn needs 1" to 2" of water per week depending on rainfall.

Second is the Efficient use of Water!

It's a sad fact, but the average sprinkler system is less than 60% efficient in distributing irrigation water. There are many factors that go into designing an efficient sprinkler system. Uniform coverage, slope... changes in micro-climate within your yard, such as shade and sunny locations, and wind, all play a part in sprinkler system design. A well-thought-out and properly installed sprinkler system could pay for itself over time in water savings alone. It is advised to have your sprinkler system checked and adjusted by a sprinkler system professional.

A Third consideration is the amount of Grass

Is it really necessary to have wall-to-wall Bluegrass? There are endless ideas that can be incorporated into having a beautiful... yet water-wise landscape. Here are just a few ideas:

• Install large border areas around the yard. Fill them with native plants and drought-hardy trees and shrubs.
• Cover the bed's soil with water-conserving wood mulch... not rock and plastic. Then create an island oasis in the middle with Bluegrass and a shade tree.

The days of thinking we have an endless supply of water have to end. We must accept the fact that we live in a semi-arid, desert climate... and must change accordingly.