Lawn Water Conservation

Transcription

1 Lawn Water Conservation How to have a lush, green lawn, while conserving water. Presented by: Chanshare Farms

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3 How we do it on the farm Start at soil level

4 Next is the seed blend

5 Watering

6 Hay Stage Growth

7 Tine Aeration & Overseeding

8 Benefits of Playing in the Dirt Dirt can make you feel happy. Early exposure to dirt can boost a child s immune system Playing outside can decrease a child s chances of depression, obesity, and attention disorders Lower blood pressure & stress levels.

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10 Start at Ground Level Sandy Loam is best for turf Till sand and mulch into the top 6 to improve the composition of your soil

11 Soil Profiles Sandy Loam Best at filling water table Sand Loses water quickly. Shorter more frequent watering necessary Clay Compacts easily. Water pools. Shorter cycles necessary.

12 Preparing the Soil Till the top soil 6-18 Mix a turf builder fertilizer into the soil before final grade After final grade water the soil several times to settle soil, test water pattern and promote weed germination before sodding

13 Soil ph Low ph is considered Acidic High ph is considered Alkaline Scale runs from 1 (Acidic) to 15 (Alkaline) Target level is

14 Cool Season Grasses There are several types of grasses that are suited for our climate Kennecott Land and Chanshare Farms are studying the effects of mowing, watering and fertilizing on bluegrass to determine best maintenance practices

15 Bunchgrass Not rhizomateous Drought Resistant if soil is prepared properly before installation Fescue

16 Non rhizomateous bunch grass Can stay green longer in the winter Is drought resistant if installed on proper soil bed Rye

17 Grass of choice in this region Rhizomateous Repairs itself Drought tolerance improved with correct maintenance practices Bluegrass

18 Grass Growth Cycle

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20 Watering Water makes up about 70% of grass plants Clippings are about 80% water Most homeowners damage their lawns by over watering

21 Watering Techniques Grass roots only grow as deep as they need to get water. If you water deeper and longer the roots will grow deeper and longer looking for water.

22 Determine Watering Practices By Watching Your Lawn Try to apply needed water in 1 application If you get run-off or puddling break up into cycles on same day If your lawn goes dry between watering break into watering on several days

23 Watering New Sod Amount Of Inches To Apply Week 1st 2nd 3rd 4th How often to water Every day Every other day April * Every third Day Every fourth day May * 1/3 1/2 2/3 June 1/4 1/2 2/3 3/4 July 1/4 1/2 3/4 1 August 1/4 1/2 2/3 3/4 September * 1/3 1/2 2/3 October * *Apply 1/4 of an inch as needed

24 April May June July August September October November Watering Chart North/Central Utah No irrigation recommended, unless needed under extremely dry periods 1 inch every days 1 inch every 7-10 days 1 inch every 6-7 days 1 inch every 7-10 days 1 inch every days A good soaking to a depth of six to eight inches around the middle of the month No irrigation recommended unless unusually warm and lawn shows signs of stress

25 Watering Tips Avoid watering in the wind Water late at night or early in the morning Water deep and less frequently Stressing your lawn by going longer between watering will create a healthier, more drought tolerant lawn

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27 Reading Your Lawn Usually an area of the lawn will turn a bluegray color before the rest of the lawn. When this happens apply 1 inch of water to the whole lawn.

28 Fertilizing Balanced Weed and Feed - Memorial Day Regular Fertilizer - Independence Day Regular Fertilizer - Labor Day Winterizer - after Halloween (This is the most important fertilization of the year!)

29 Summer Dormancy Dormancy is acceptable in established bluegrass lawns When temperatures exceed 90 degrees bluegrass growth slows and the lawn can go into dormancy.

30 Mowing Mow grass 2 or higher Never cut more than 1/3 of the plant at a time Leave clippings on lawn Aerate in Spring and late Fall Remove thatch when necessary Fertilize 3-4 times a year Keep the mower blade sharp.

31 Weed and Pest Control Weed and Feed Fertilizer is a good pre emergent that will take care of many weeds. Apply early in Spring. Hand weeding is the most effective form of weed control in most cases.

32 Dandelions are perennial weeds: Dandelions Pull or dig out Broadleaf postemergent herbicides can be applied in late fall or late spring

33 Crab Grass Annual Grassy Weed Removing by hand is most effective but must also remove and replace soil. Apply pre-emergent in late winter or early spring or a post-emergent once it has germinated

34 Goosegrass Annual Grassy Weed Remove by hand if you can get at least ¾ of the root Selective preemergent herbicide if necessary

35 Redstem Filaree Annual or biennial broadleaf weed Hand weeding is the best way to eliminate Broadleaf weed herbicide can be used

36 Bluegrass going to seed Caused by overly stressed lawn and lack of fertilization Cut lawn and bag clippings 2 to 3 times Fertilize with high nitrogen content fertilizer

37 Billbug Damage appears as a small circular pattern that turns yellow-brown as the Billbugs feed on the grass. Billbugs can be controlled by a pesticide designed for Billbugs. Pesticides are generally not very selective. They kill good bugs too.

38 Cutworms/Grubs

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40 Cutworm/Grubs Cutworms and Grubs leave small patches of brown grass, usually one to two inches wide. Cutworms can be controlled by a pesticide designed for cutworms.

41 Fairy Ring and Mushrooms Fungus is caused by prolonged wet weather and lack of fertility. Control by aerating around the edges, adding nitrogen, and mowing frequently

42 Dog Urination Spots Put 1 Tbs of vinegar per gallon of animals drinking water to reduce acidity of urination spots

43 Spring Maintenance Aerate in late Spring and early Fall Don t water until mid May unless it is a very dry spring Only water 1-2 times in May applying 1 only as necessary Fertilize with a Weed and Feed in late Spring (around Memorial Day)

44 Maintenance (cont.) Wait as long as you can to mow Mow Never mow more than 1/3 the blade Mulch clippings and leave on the lawn Apply Season Long Grub Control sometime in May

45 Resources

46 Q & A