One deep watering is much better than watering several times lightly.
Lawns need about 1 inch of water each week. If the weather is very hot, apply an inch of water about every 3 days.
Watering to a depth of 4-6 inches encourages deeper, healthier root development. It allows longer periods between watering.
To measure the water, put an empty tuna can (or cat food can) on the
lawn while watering. Stop watering when the can is full or if you
notice water running off the lawn.
Know Your Soil
Different soil types have different watering needs. You don't need to
be a soil scientist to know how to water your soil properly. These tips
can help.
Loosen the soil around plants so it can quickly absorb water and nutrients.
Use a 1- to 2-inch protective layer of mulch on the soil surface above
the root area. Cultivating and mulching reduce evaporation and soil
erosion.
Clay soil: Add organic material
such as compost or peat moss. Till or spade to help loosen the soil.
Since clay soil absorbs water very slowly, water only as fast as the
soil absorbs the water.
Sandy soil: Add organic
material to supplement sandy soil. Otherwise, the water can run through
it so quickly that plants won't be able to absorb it.
Loam soil: The best kind of soil. It's a combination of sand, silt, and clay. Loam absorbs water readily and stores it for plants to use.
Water at the Right Time of the Day
Early morning or night is the best time for watering to reduce evaporation.
To help control where your water goes, water when it's not windy.
Rules of Thumb for Proper Fertilizer Use
Fertilizers provide nutrients necessary for plant health and growth,
such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These are what N, P, and K
stand for on bags of fertilizer. Nitrogen (N) is needed for healthy
green growth and regulation of other nutrients. Phosphorus (P) helps
proper roots and seeds develop and resist disease. Potassium (K) is
also important in root development and disease resistance. When
properly applied, the nutrients in fertilizers are absorbed by plants
and little of these nutrients enters ground or surface water resources.
Use the Right Fertilizer
Test your soil to find out what nutrients are needed. Contact your
local Natural Resources Conservation Service or Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service office to get information on
obtaining a soil test. Local fertilizer dealers can also be helpful.
A soil test will help you understand what your plants require.
Follow label directions.
Choose a fertilizer that has at least one-fourth of the nitrogen in a slow-release form, such as sulpher-coated urea.
Mow Your Lawn Frequently
Leave the grass clippings to decompose on the lawn. Annually, this will
provide nutrients equivalent to one or two fertilizer applications. Set
mower at 2 inches to reduce water use during hot weather.
Apply Fertilizer Properly
It is best to apply fertilizer when the soil is moist and then water
lightly. This will help the fertilizer move into the root zone where it
is available to the plants, rather than stay on top of the soil where
it can be blown or washed away.
Watch the weather. Avoid applying it immediately before a heavy rain
system is predicted to arrive. Too much rain (or sprinkler water) will
take the nutrients away from the lawn's root zone.
Use the minimal amount of fertilizer necessary and apply it in small,
frequent applications. An application of 2 pounds of fertilizer five
times per year is better than 5 pounds of fertilizer twice a year.
Calibrate your fertilizer spreader to be sure you know exactly how much
material is being discharged in a given space. Follow instructions
accompanying your spreader.
When spreading fertilizer, cover ends of the lawn first, ten go back
and forth across the rest of the lawn, using half of the recommended
amount. Shut the spreader off before reaching the ends to avoik
over-application. Apply the other half of the fertilizer going back and
forth perpendicular to the first pattern.
Dispose of fertilizer bags or containers in a safe and state-approved manner.
Alternatives to Pesticides and Chemicals
When used incorrectly, pesticides can pollute water. They also kill
beneficial as well as harmful insects. Natural alternatives prevent
both of these events from occurring and save you money. Consider using
natural alternatives for chemical pesticides: Non-detergent
insecticidal soaps, garlic, hot pepper sprays, 1 teaspoon of liquid
soap in a gallon of water, used dishwater, or forceful stream of water
to dislodge insects.
Also consider using plants that naturally repel insects. These plants
have their own chemical defense systems, and when planted among flowers
and vegetables, they help keep unwanted insects away. The table below
contains a partial list of nature's alternatives.
Pest
Plant Repellent
Ant
mint tansy, pennyroyal
Aphids
mint garlic,
chives, coriander, anise
Bean Leaf Beetle
potato onion,
turnip
Codling Moth
common
oleander
Colorado Potato Bug green beans, coriander, nasturtium
Cucumber Beetle radish tansy
Flea Beetle
garlic onion, mint
Imported Cabbage Worm mint sage, rosemary, hyssop
Japanese Beetle
garlic larkspur, tansy, rue, geranium
