FAQ's on Conservation
Q.
When should I water? A. Signs of
stressed grass include dull green color, footprints that
remain visible, or curled leaf blades. Water only after
the top 2” of the soil has dried out. Check moisture by
feel with a soil probe or screwdriver. For most plants
and grasses, no water is required during the winter
months….turn the irrigation system off!
Q. What time of day should I water?
A. Evaporation loss can be 60% higher during the day, so
water during the early morning or in the evening. Brown
patch fungus is caused by over-watering and high
fertility, not by watering at night.
Q. How often and how much should I water?
A. No more than 1” per week during hot and dry
conditions. This amount will promote deep root systems
and cause grasses and shrubs to be drought tolerant.
Root growth peaks during spring so it is especially
important to start your watering schedule during this
time of year. Over-watering results in a shallow root
system that is vulnerable to drought conditions.
Over-watered turf can be retrained by slowly adjusting
it to longer periods between watering.
Q. What should I water? A. Only
plants and grasses! Don’t water the sidewalks and
driveways. Use a broom or blower to sweep debris - this
can save up to 100 gallons per 5 minutes of work!
Q. When should I mow? A. Mow the
grass only when it is dry, keep mowing blades sharp, and
don’t cut more than 1/3 of its length at one time.
Q. How can I conserve soil moisture?
A. Use lots of mulch; it will make shrubs and trees more
tolerant to scorching Texas heat. For the lawn, do not
bag the clippings. Mulched grass clippings hold in
moisture, reduce evaporation, moderate temperature, and
return nutrients to the lawn.
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