Urban and Residential
Our
daily activities contribute to nonpoint source pollution of our water
resources. The good news is that we can minimize our impact by making
a few changes in how we care for lawns.
Water
your lawn when it needs it. Look for the following signs of wilt:
Leaf blades are folded in half lengthwise in an attempt to
conserve water. The grass takes on a
blue-gray tint. Footprints
or tire tracks remain visible on the grass
long after being made.
When
you see these signs in approximately 50% of the lawn, the lawn needs
to be irrigated. A set irrigation schedule can’t be established
using this method because the length of time needed between
irrigations will vary depending upon grass species, soil
characteristics, time of year, temperatures, and any particular
micro-environmental effects such as shade.
Things to Remember:
-
Irrigate 2 times per week (March to October); 1 - 2 times every 2 weeks (November to February). Follow local water use regulations.
-
Apply ½ to ¾ inch of water during each irrigation.
-
Wean the grass off a heavy watering schedule. If the irrigation system is scheduled to come on for more than 5 days a week, reduce it to 3 days a week for 2 weeks. Then reduce the irrigation schedule to 2 days a week
-
Inspect the irrigation system regularly to check for leaks in hoses, pipes, and fittings.
-
Repair broken or clogged spray heads and emitters and adjust them to keep them from watering the pavement. Nothing grows on pavement, so water that lands on driveways and sidewalks is wasted.
Water Conservation <http://www.ci.oro-valley.az.us/waterutility/Conservation/QuestionsOnIrrig.htm>