7-13-2007
When the dog days of summer hit, it's common for yards and gardens to go from green to brown.
But it is possible to keep them green in the heat by using less water.
Twin Falls Management Assistant Gretchen Scott says, “There are several things you can do. A lot of times, water doesn't run down into the soil as fast as the sprinklers can apply it, so if you do it in shorter intervals, but more times through your system, like ten to fifteen minute intervals, but do it twice, then the water can absorb down to the root system better for your lawn.”
The city's water ordinance dictates that even house numbers water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, while odd house numbers go on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Scott says that because of pressurized water and the adoption of the current ordinance in 2004, the city's water usage has been way down.
She says, “We've seen a tremendous amount of conservation on the part of our citizenry here. Water usage has declined over the last couple of years.”
That's not to say we can't use even less water.
Scott says there are plenty of methods to keep everything looking fresh with less water.
“If your lawn is a little higher, don't cut it so short, so don't cut your lawn so short, leave it a little longer. That provides shade to the root system, and allows them to use less water,” says Scott.
If your lawn is looking brown, it might not even be a water issue.
Sometimes, external causes, such as worms or parasites, can have a detrimental effect on the grass.
Dead lawns can also become a fire hazard, but a little care can go a long way.