Water Wise
Here are Some Recommendations from the Green Industry Council of San Francisco on Ways to Conserve Water in Your Landscape
Lawns:
Have your Lawn Aerated.
Aeration will improve water penetration and encourage
deeper roots. The plugs produced by aeration should be left on the lawn as they help decompose thatch.Remove Excessive Thatch
Thatch is a layer of dead and living plant parts that when excessive, can prevent water, air and nutrients from getting to the roots of your lawn. Thatch can also harbor insects and diseases.Don’t over Fertilize your Lawn
Fertilization should be done only to encourage root development and to replace essential nutrients lost due to leaching and transpiration.Have your Sprinkler System Evaluated
Old or poorly designed sprinkler systems can be very inefficient. Install an automatic sprinkler controller with multiple cycle-start time capability. Upgrading your existing sprinkler system can save you water and money.Water Early in the Morning
Early morning watering is ideal. Mid-day watering when the weather is hot and dry can waste water due to excessive evaporation.Water Infrequently but Thouroughly
Watering your Lawn in Two Short Cycles is Better than One Long Cycle. By splitting your watering time in half and by repeating it again one hour later, you will reduce water runoff and be watering more deeply.Trees & Shrubs:
Mulch Root Area
All landscape plants will benefit from a 1 to 2 inches protective layer of bark over the root area. This organic mulch will reduce soil temperatures and retard moisture loss between watering.Install Drip Irrigation
The low flow rate of drip irrigation systems allows the water to soak in slowly to the plant roots. The deep penetration of the drip irrigation water encourages deep strong root systems and reduces water loss from the soil due to evaporation.Don’t Overwater!
Most established landscape shrubs need infrequent watering. Check the soil moisture level at a depth of 4 to 6 inches. The plant should not be wilted but the soil should be dry to the touch and crumble in the hand before watering.Build Watering Basins
A basin around the root area of plants will aid in the deep watering of new or established landscape shrubs. Slowly fill the basin with water to allow the soil to accept the water without runoff. Larger plants may require more than one fill-up per watering cycle.Water When it’s “Cool”
Water trees and shrubs during the cooler parts of the evening or earlier morning. Watering when the temperature is cooler reduces the water loss from evaporation. Morning watering lessens the chances of mildew.Use a Root Feeder
A root feeder will give large shrubs or trees a very deep watering without having to saturate the surface soil. The use of a root feeder can cut the watering frequency of some large trees to only three times a year.Cultivate for Water Penetration
Cultivate lightly under the plants or use a liquid soil penetrator to hasten water penetration to
the roots. Reduced evaporation and soil erosion will take place if water soaks in too quickly.