How to keep a lawn with less water
Updated 6:38 pm, Monday, June 16, 2014
The joys of a green lawn don't necessarily have to be sacrificed to the drought, water experts say — even with reductions in household water use of 20 percent or more.
A handful of landscaping techniques can help keep a yard alive and well with just limited watering, experts say. Early fall rains, of course, will help assure the lawn's survival.
"People might have to live with a few more brown spots," said Peter ÖBrostrom, who heads the state Department of Water Resources efficiency division. "Cutting back 20 percent will stress the lawn, but it won't kill it."
Brostrom and other water experts suggest the following:
Keep the grass cut high: Longer grass means longer roots, which can tap deeper into the soil for moisture. Taller grass also shades the base of the grass and keeps it from drying out quickly.
Fertilize your lawn, but not too much: The grass should be nourished in order to protect it from fungal and insect damage, which lawns are more susceptible to during dry times. Avoid quick-acting fertilizers.
Adjust the sprinklers: Switch from fixed spray heads to multi-stream rotors for more efficient sprinkling. Make sure the sidewalk is not being watered and try to avoid runoff. Water brown and sloped areas by hand.
Water early in the day: When it's warm, water evaporates more quickly and won't soak the grass.
Reseed with drought-tolerant grass: Consider grass that's more resilient to dry spells in the future. Also, consider removing grass lawns and putting in drought-proof landscapes or synthetic turf.