These basic conservation principles maximize Colorado's limited water supply and encourage a healthy, hardy and drought-resistant landscape.
Efficient Water Hints
- Water lawn and planting beds according to their needs. Check soil moisture before watering. Insert a 6 inch screwdriver into the soil; if it can be easily inserted, you don't need to water.
- Water at night. Water at night 9 pm-9 am, but not during the heat of the day or when the wind is blowing. Set your sprinklers to hit the landscape only, not sidewalks, driveways, windows, etc.
- Look for footprints. Water when footprints or mower tracks become easily visible on the turf or when large areas of the lawn take on a bluish-gray color.
- Has it rained? Skip watering on days following 1/2 inch or more of rain. On cool, cloudy days, plants use less water and there is less evaporation. This extends the time needed between watering.
- Check your sprinkler system. Check to see how long each zone is scheduled to run and adjust the timer. A shade zone will require less water than a hot, sunny area and the cooler seasons require less water than the hot summer months. Check sprinkler heads frequently to make sure that they are functioning properly. Also, if you have and older timer, it may not be able to adjust to a three-day cycle. Learn how to operate your system manually.
- Watering with a hose? Use household timers to remind you to move or stop soaker hoses and sprinklers, and check your sprinklers to see how much water they put out. This is easily done by placing a shallow container like a cat food or tuna can in the yard to measure water. This will help determine how long you should water.
Ready, Set, Grow! Use the Following Hints for Specific Areas in Your Yard.
For Grass...
- Aerate. Aeration is an important part of healthy lawn maintenance, because it relieves soil compaction and allows better water, air and fertilizer penetration. The result is less water run-off and better plant health. Aerate in the spring and fall under moderate moisture conditions for best results.
- Mow efficiently. Set your mower at the highest level possible and make sure the blade is sharp so it will cut blades of grass properly. Leave your lawn clippings on the turf or use a mulching mower to recycle moisture and nutrients back into the yard.
- Brown spots? Be willing to accept a less than perfect lawn. Respond to brown spots by hand watering. Check the coverage of the sprinklers, and look for broken lines or heads, clogged nozzles resulting in poor spray patterns and improperly adjusted heads/nozzles frequently.
- Fertilize. Consider applying iron fertilizers moderately. Reduce nitrogen application rates. Lush, fast-growing grass uses more water. Fertilize in summer with a slow-release fertilizer and in fall at the rate suggested on the product label.
For Flowers...
- Know their tolerance. Select and plant flowers by their specific water and sunlight needs. Many low water using flowers are available.
- Improve the soil. Prepare your flower beds with soil amendments like peat moss, compost or other organic material for maximum efficiency and growth.
- Newly planted flowers. Check and water flowers daily for a short time during the first two weeks after planting to help them get established, and then gradually reduce watering.
- Mulch. Apply mulch to reduce evaporation, retain moisture in the soil and control weeds.
For Trees...
- Established trees. Roots extend out from the tree three to five times the height of the tree. Soaking the tree next to the trunk is not adequate. Normal, general landscape irrigation provides water for established trees.
- Newly planted trees. Apply a 3-4 inch layer f mulch at a minimum of 2 feet wide around the trunk. Keep mulch 2 inches away from the trunk. Check moisture in the root ball and water to maintain adequate moisture.
For fruits and vegetables...
- Raspberries, strawberries and vegetables. Use mulch around the plants and consider using a drip irrigation sprinkler system as it's more efficient than overhead spraying.
- Apples and other tree fruits. Water as described above for trees.
Other Information Resources:
How to Drought-Proof Your Garden and Home