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By Dr. Calvin Finch
IRRIGATION
CHECK-UP
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At least once each month, your irrigation system needs a check-up. Follow these steps.
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Turn on each zone for a few minutes and watch the sprinkler heads. Are they spraying in the right direction? Are there any "gushers" indicating a broken head or missing nozzle?
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Turn on any soaker or drip lines and watch them run for a few minutes. A damaged soaker hose must be replaced because it will not work properly and does not repair well.
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Check your rain sensor. Is it working? Internal disks must be replaced every two years.
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Many South Texas homeowners have
realized that their Zoysia, Bermuda or
buffalo grass lawns can go dormant for
the hottest, driest part of the summer and
then green up within days when the rains
begin again. Even St. Augustine grass
in the shade can survive a San Antonio
summer without watering. Choosing the
dormancy option is the best way to keep
your water bill low, but even if you choose
to have a green lawn, the bill can be
relatively low.
The average 8,000 square foot lawn uses
nearly 3,500 gallons every time it is
irrigated in mid-summer. Eliminating
even two irrigation cycles in a month saves
a tremendous amount of water and lowers
your water bill. Grass appearance will be
slightly less lush, but grass health will
be fine.
Another option to save money is to follow our weekly irrigation advice in the WaterSaver e-newsletter. This online advice offers recommendations based on weather data that tells us how much water your lawn needs to stay green. The program was tested in South
Texas for four years and over 5,000
homeowners have signed on to receive the
information for their lawn every week.
SAWS will send a personalized e-mail with your
advice on the day of your choice.
If your neighborhood would like
a free workshop on lawn care, contact the
Master Gardeners or Gardening Volunteers
of South Texas. Their phone numbers are
in the Resource Section at the end of this
guide.
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