Water Smart lawn tips
MAKing EVERY DROP COUNT
Did you know that watering less can actually make your lawn healthier?
Lawns that are irrigated only when they need it develop deep, healthy root systems that help them withstand drought stress and make them less susceptible to pests and diseases.
Your Florida lawn probably doesn't require as much water as you think.
By planning your irrigation based on the plant's need - rather than a day of the week or a pre-set schedule - you can have a healtheir, better looking lawn and make every drop count.
Don’t just set it and forget it
Automatic irrigation systems are a great tool when used properly. However,
setting the sprinklers to turn on automatically — whether your landscape
needs it or not — can waste water and cause lawn problems. Consider
switching your system off during Florida’s cooler winter months and
during the summer rainy season.
Let your lawn tell you when it needs water
Turn on your sprinklers only when your lawn shows signs of needing water — a grayish color, folded leaf blades and footprints that remain for several minutes. When you do irrigate, set sprinklers to provide about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of water per zone.
Rise and shine... and water your lawn
Irrigate early in the day, preferably before sunrise. This helps minimize evaporation loss and limits the time the lawn is wet, which reduces the potential for disease.
Get a rain gauge
A rain gauge is a simple tool to use when deciding when to water. If 1/2 inch or more rain has recently fallen, empty the gauge, leave your controller off and delay the next watering.
Soil moisture sensors also can be installed to work with existing automatic systems to help regulate irrigation events based on the amount of moisture already present in the soil.
Mow smart
A good rule of thumb is not to cut more than one-third the height at
any one time. Leave clippings on the lawn and sweep clippings back
onto the grass from sidewalks and driveways. These clippings help trap
moisture and release nutrients into the soil
