July is Proclaimed Smart Irrigation Month for NC

For the second consecutive year, Governor Beverly Perdue has officially proclaimed July as "Smart Irrigation Month" for North Carolina. Water is a precious resource. With the ever-growing population and the droughts of recent years, it is even more important to make sure we are conserving where we can and getting the most of the water we are using. Here are a couple of tips to help with that:

Water at the Right Time – ideally, you will water your lawn during the hours that the lawn is wet from dew. As it is cooler, it will minimize evaporation.

Don't Overwater – different plants have different needs. One size does not fit all when it comes to irrigation. Here are some stats from savingwaternc.com: On average:

• small shrubs need 5 gallons water/week
• large shrubs need 10 gallons/week
• trees need 2 gallons per inch diameter (measured at 4.5' above the ground)/week
• flower beds need 5 gallons of water/10 sq. ft. (1 minute of water at medium pressure)
• lawns require about 1/2-1" water per week, depending on the grass type. High-use turf areas may need more frequent irrigation.

Install a Rain Sensor – there is nothing more inefficient than a sprinkler system running in the rain. Besides manually controlling your irrigation system timing, (and who wants to schlep out in the rain to do that?) what can you do to stop your sprinklers from coming on during or after rain? Install a rain sensor. It monitors rainfall and turns your system off when Mother Nature has provided enough precipitation. There are other "smart" controller options that take into account plant requirements and local weather. We can help you know your options.

Hand Watering – Drip systems use 50% less water than a typical sprinkler in addition to applying water directly to the root zone where it is needed. If drip irrigation is not available, use a water breaker (the attachment for your hose that acts like a shower head) on the end of your hose to deliver an even, gentle flow to the base of the plants. It's interesting to note that a typical garden hose delivers 5 gallons of water per minute. You can also use a 5-gallon bucket with small holes in the bottom to slowly water your beds and prevent run-off.

Think Ahead when Planning your Landscaping – Group plants with similar water and soil needs. Then you can use drip irrigation or zoned irrigation to most efficiently water your plants. The use of native plants, trees, and shrubs helps, too. Since these plants occur naturally in our area, they are adapted to local conditions including climate, soil, and rainfall.

Audit Your Irrigation System – Have your system audited by an irrigation tech to check for leaks, adjust the heads, and make any necessary repairs. (Make sure you're not watering the pavement!)

Even with our summer storms, most of our state has had below average rainfall this summer. If you use water-wise habits, you'll have a healthier landscape, conserve water, and reduce your water bill. Let's make every month Smart Irrigation Month! For more information on this topic, check out http://www.savingwaternc.com

Thanks,

The AA Tex Lawn Team