A strategically-cared for lawn can be one of your family’s best investments.
But if your water bills are skyrocketing, that investment might turn out to be a nightmare.
It’s time to make some serious change. How much is too much? It’s pretty tough to measure how much water you waste but if the turf grasses are either turning brown or stunted despite abundant water supply then it’s clear that you’re doing it the wrong way. A lawn is your home’s crowning glory and according to some experts, can raise the value of your property by as much as 14%.
Water conservation takes a little practice but apart from installing an automatic irrigation system, there are other timeless lawn care Calgary tips you can try to ensure every drop of water is well spent:
1. Balance is the Key.
Watering should be a systematic procedure. Start by separating grass from trees or shrubs. By making specific zones for each plant types, you can efficiently maximize the use of sprinklers. Make sure that turf grasses receive equal amounts of water by assigning the same measuring cups (containing 2 inches of water) on every sprinkler.
Now, if you want to put lawn watering to a higher notch, instalment of an underground sprinkler can be a great decision. This won’t just put water in complete control but also provide equal distribution to every grass root.
2. Don’t go overboard.
They say that too much of anything is a bad thing but most people don’t care if they’re watering too much or not. For them, as long as there is a consistent water supply for their lawn, the grass will stay healthy as ever.
Call it overkill and to put it simply, watering too frequently is never a good idea. Lawn care in Calgary often means dry conditions, but over-watering can be easily done if you are not careful
Garden experts recommend short periods of watering with at least 15 minutes of intervals in between to encourage maximum absorption. This technique will also help in avoiding root damage and unnecessary driveway runoffs.
3. The Morning Habit.
Paul James and other gardening experts all agree that morning (between 5 AM and 10 AM) is the best time for watering. This is the time when the soil is still cool and the chance for the water to evaporate is very slim.
Neither afternoon nor night time can offer the best results. There’s a higher rate of evaporation in midday while destructive fungi feast on wet turf grasses at night time.
4. Let it Grow.
The length of a turf grass is directly proportional to the length of its roots. In other words, the shorter the grass, the shorter its root is and for garden experts, roots shorter than 3 inches won’t be able to absorb enough water from the ground.
Don’t get too excited. If the grass is still not 3 inches or up, wait for it to grow before putting that sprinkler to use.
5. Choose the right grass.
You can save a great amount of water if you use drought-resistant grass varieties. They require less maintenance and can survive drought with little amount of water. Hence, re-seeding them to your lawn can benefit your home landscape and budget at the same time. Lawn care in Calgary is more than simply cutting your grass. Watering properly can make the difference and save you a lot of money on the long run.
Conserving water is not just about loving Mother Nature. You can provide a professionally-designed lawn for you and your family’s enjoyment but not at the expense of your own savings.
Give your water bills a break and save water with these practical lawn care tips.
