Lawn Sprinkler Tips To Save Water

July is Smart Irrigation Month. Research has shown that up to 70% of home water use is applied to the landscape! Here are some lawn sprinkler tips to help save water with your sprinkler system.

• Check monthly for broken heads or wet spots in your yard that could be leaks in your sprinkler system. Your can also turn off your water where it enters the house, and then check your water meter. If the little dial is moving at all, you have a leak.
• Check with your water utility and find out if re-claimed water is available where you live..
• Set your controller to finish watering just before sunrise. This will limit evapotranspiration.
• Trees and shrubs need less supplemental irrigation versus your turf and flowers. If possible, zone the shrubs and turf separately.
• Adjust your sprinklers so as to limit the amount that lands on the street or sidewalk.
• Install an automatic rain sensor on your sprinkler system.
• Place a four inch thick layer of mulch around your trees and shrubs to retain moisture.
• If you have St. Augustine grass, de-thatch your yard every couple of years to improve water percolation.
• Cut your grass at the highest height possible. This will promote deeper rooting of the turf, which will then need less supplemental watering.
• Investigate installing a fertigation unit on your sprinkler system. This device will apply fertilizer to your yard in a much smaller and consistent dose. “spoon-feeding” fertilizer to your landscape will limit water degradation.
• Consider placing water barrels on your gutters. You can reuse this water on your plants.
• Learn how to set your sprinkler controller by watching this video :
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