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Don't over
water your lawn. As a general rule, lawns only need watering every five to
seven days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. A hearty
rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Buy a rain gauge
and use it to determine how much rain your yard has received. Most of the
year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.
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Plant it
smart. Xeriscape landscaping is a great way to design, install and maintain
both your plants and irrigation system. More importantly, it will save time,
money and water. For your free copy of "Plant It Smart", an easy-to-use
guide to Xeriscape landscaping, contact your water management district.
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Water lawns
during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the
lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.
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Don't allow
sprinklers to water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Position them so
water lands on the lawn and shrubs... not the paved areas.
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Install
irrigation devices that are the most water efficient for each use. Micro and
drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of water efficient irrigation
methods.
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Check
sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate
properly. Florida law now requires that "anyone who purchases and installs
an automatic lawn sprinkler system MUST install a rain sensor device or
switch which will override the irrigation cycle of the system when adequate
rainfall has occurred." To retrofit your existing system, contact an
irrigation professional for more information.
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Raise the lawn
mower blade to at least three inches or to its highest level. A higher cut
encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil
moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.
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Avoid over
fertilizing your lawn. Fertilizer applications increase the need for water.
Apply fertilizers which contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of
nitrogen.
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Use mulch to
retain moisture in the soil. Mulch also helps control weeds that compete
with landscape plants for water.
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Plant native
and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. Once
established, they do not need water as frequently and usually will survive a
dry period without watering. Group plants together based on similar water
needs.
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Do not hose
down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris
from these areas.
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Use a shut-off
nozzle on your hose which can be adjusted down to a fine spray so that water
flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the faucet instead of at
the nozzle to avoid leaks. Check hose connectors to make sure plastic or
rubber washers are in place. Washers prevent leaks.
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Do not leave
sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or
more in only a few hours. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn
sprinklers off.
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Avoid
purchasing recreational water toys which require a constant stream of water.
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Consider using
a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on
the grass and use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
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Avoid the
installation of ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless the
water is recycled.
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If you have a
swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter. A single
backflushing with a traditional filter uses 180 to 250 gallons of water.
