Water wisely during a drouqht

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), April, 2003

With various areas of the nation suffering from drought recently, responsible use of water on landscapes is a must. Landscape experts with Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, Ft. Collins, and the Green Industries of Colorado suggest following basic conservation principles that will maximize water supply and encourage healthy, hardy, and drought-resistant landscapes. Watering hints include:

* Lawns and planting beds should be watered according to their needs based on soil moisture levels. To check soil moisture, insert a six-inch screwdriver into the soil. If it goes in easily, the ground doesn't need water.

* Water at night, between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. Set sprinklers to hit only landscapes, not sidewalks, driveways, windows, etc.

* Skip watering on days following one-half inch or more of rain. On cool, cloudy days, plants use less water and there is less evaporation, which increases the time between watering.

* Check sprinkler systems to see how long each zone is scheduled to run and adjust the timer accordingly. A shade zone will require less water than a hot, sunny area, and the cooler seasons require less water than hot summer months. Check sprinkler heads frequently to make sure they are functioning properly.

* Use household timers as a reminder to move or stop soaker hoses and sprinklers. Check the amount of water that sprinklers put out by placing a shallow container in the yard to measure it. This will help determine how long a landscape should be watered to apply an amount recommended by local utility services or homeowners associations.

* Establishing new plants will initially require more moisture, but watering cycles should be adjusted to maintenance levels after landscapes are established. Mulching conserves moisture and can make a difference. In general, trees are established two to three years after they are planted; most flowers, two to three weeks; herbaceous perennials up to eight weeks; fresh sod in three weeks; and seeded grass after five weeks.

Tips for watering grass

* Aeration is an important part of healthy lawn maintenance because it allows better water, air, and fertilizer penetration by relieving soil compaction, thus preventing runoff and improving the health of plants. For best results, aerate in the spring and fall.

* Set lawn mowers at the highest level possible and make sure that the blades are sharp. Leave lawn clippings on the turf or use a mulching mower to recycle moisture and nutrients into the yard.

* To minimize brown spots, check sprinkler coverage and frequently look for broken lines or heads, clogged nozzles, and nozzles with poor spray patterns. Where possible, water them by hand.

* Consider a moderate application of iron fertilizers and reduce the rate of nitrogen fertilizer used in a landscape. Lush, fast-growing grass uses more water. Fertilize lawns in the summer with a slow-release fertilizer and in the fall at the rate suggested on the product label.

Tips for watering flowers

* Flower gardens may need less water than grass areas. Adjust watering schedules for flowerbeds to reduce water applications when appropriate.

* Know plant tolerance. Select and plant flowers by their specific water and sunlight needs. Many with low water requirements are available.

* Prepare flowerbeds with soil amendments such as peat moss, compost, or other organic material for maximum water efficiency and growth.

* Check and water flowers daily for a short time during the first two weeks after they are planted to help them become established, then gradually reduce the amount of water that is applied.

* Mulch flowerbeds to reduce evaporation, retain moisture in the soil, and control weeds.

Tips for watering trees

* Trees use water most efficiently when it soaks deep into the soil near the feeder roots.

* Established trees need less water than newly planted ones. Roots extend out from established trees three to five times the height of the tree. Soaking the soil next to the trunk of an established tree is not adequate, although normal, general landscape irrigation provides water to established trees. Larger trees take longer to establish than smaller ones.

* Apply a three- to four-inch layer of mulch at least two feet wide around the trunk of a newly planted tree to help the soil maintain moisture. Leave a two-inch wide ring around the trunk free of mulch.