Watering. Check the coverage and repair clogged and mis-directed sprinklers and drips emitters.
At the begining of the irrigation season (April to May, depending on weather) plan your irrigation schedule for the whole season and place it next to the time clock. This will give you a guideline as well as a reminder to change your watering practices each month.
Contrary to what most people think, watering your lawn and garden with a hand held hose is the most efficient. Modern automatic sprinkler timers have become a tool of convenience rather than a means of conserving water. They can be useful but the schedules must be changed at least monthly during the irrigation season (April through October).
Change your irrigation application rate at least 6 times a year. Here is a simple guideline. The month of July requires the most water; therefore, the amount of water needed for other months is a percentage of the July watering:
- April - 25%
- May - 50%
- June - 75%
- August - 60%
- September - 30%
- October - 10%
You can save water by irrigating only when the plant needs it. Determine this by using a soil probe.
There are now available, automatice sprinkler timers that you can preset for the entire irrigation season.
Water early in the morning when the temperature and winds are at their lowest levels to reduce evaporation.
To prevent those brown/dry spots, check sprinkler coverage and adjust if necessary. If the coverage is okay, then water these spots by hand. Do not increase the water on the rest of the lawn to get rid of these spots.
Maintain sharp blades on lawn mowers and pruning tools.
Apply fertilizers and pesticides at minimal levels, timed to specific needs of the plants.
Avoid runoff at all times. It is a total waste of water and can carry pollutants into our waterways and treatment facilities.
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Our state of the art farming methods and equipment save fuel, water and use less chemicals. As a result, we conserve water and protect our environment.
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