Outdoor Watering & Landscape Tips
Outdoor Watering and Landscape Tips
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- Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance check-up. For more water efficient cooling, check yours annually.
- When washing the car, use soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for the final rinse.
- Use a broom, not a hose, when cleaning your driveway and sidewalks.
- Insulate your water pipes. You’ll get hot water faster, and avoid wasting water while it heats up.
- Check for hidden leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you have a leak.
- If you have a well, check your pump periodically. Listen to hear if the pump kicks on and off while water is not being used. If it does, you have a leak.
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If you have a lawn, chances are that this is your biggest water use. Typically, at least 50% of water consumed by households is used outdoors.- Adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered, not the house, sidewalk or street.
- Don’t water on windy days.
- Water your lawn every third day in the summer. Always water during the cool time of day to minimize evaporation-early morning or late evening is best.
- A heavy rain means you don’t have to water at all.
- For landscaping use native or other low-water use trees, shrubs and plants.
- Minimize grass areas in your yard-less grass means less water.
- Using a layer of mulch around plants reduces evaporation and promotes plant growth.
- When mowing, raise the blades level to its highest level. Close cut grass makes the roots work harder, requiring more water.
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- Plan and design your landscaping area – evaluate your site and inventory existing plants.
- Evaluate your turf area – identify drainage problems.
- Use efficient irrigation methods – make appropriate seasonal adjustments. Remember not to water on windy days, and water only during the cool times of the day.
- Use soil amendments – This allows for better water absorption and holding capacity.
- Use mulches – mulches include rock, decomposed granite and wood chips.
- Incorporate low-water use plants – Consider using wildflower seeds.
- Appropriate maintenance – This includes proper pruning, weeding, fertilization and irrigation system adjustments.
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For established low water use trees, the watering is based upon 2 gallon per hour emitters, 6-10 emitters per tree. Duration of watering time is 3 to 5 hours under the canopy line, subject to soil conditions.- During the winter months, water once per month if no supplemental rain is received.
- During the spring and fall months, water twice per month.
- For the summer months, water once per week depending on temperatures.
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Watering is based upon 2 gallon per hour emitters, 1 to 2 emitters per plant, for 2 to 3 hours.- During winter months, water once to twice per month.
- During spring and fall months, water once per week.
- For the summer months, water once to two times per week depending on temperatures.
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The following information is based on watering established turf for a duration of approximately 30 minutes.- During the winter months, water dormant turf once per month if no supplemental rain is received.
- Established winter rye-water once to twice per week.
- During the spring and fall months, water twice per week.
- For the summer months, water three times per week depending on temperatures.
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- Spring bloomers are best planted in the fall, and plant summer bloomers prior to the monsoon season.
- Choose a sunny site.
- Loosen the soil surface with a rake or a trowel.
- Mix wildflower seeds with soil, sand or mulch.
- Distribute seed mix evenly over the planting site.
- Keep seeds moist for a few weeks to facilitate seed germination.
- Once seedlings are established, occasional irrigation will help promote successful flowering.