When the heat of the summer settles in, water is in high demand. Here is some information on keeping your turf hydrated, being water wise in your home garden, and getting ahead of the heat with proactive mulching to retain soil moisture.
Turfgrass Maintenance – Irrigation (Samples and Sorochan, UT Extension W161-F)
Turfgrasses vary in water needs. Estimate your needs for your turfgrass and local conditions. In Tennessee, turfgrasses most often require irrigation to maintain growth and color during hot, dry summer months. Irrigate in the morning to reduce water loss to evaporation and minimize disease risks.
Check out this UT publication https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/W800-A.pdf for more information on using moisture sensors to control automatic irrigation in the landscape.
Water Wise Actions (from “Using Water Wisely in the Garden” Polanin, Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension, FS450)
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- Improve water holding capacity with organic soil amendments and mulch.
- Select drought tolerant plant varieties.
- Repair leaks in hoses and faucets.
- Collect rainwater in rain barrels or rain gardens.
- Know how much water is needed.
- Time water use for maximum efficiency.
- Avoid sprinklers that produce a fine mist and avoid watering on a windy day.
- When possible, replace overhead sprinklers with drip or trickle irrigation.
- Avoid over watering.
