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Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities

1530 South West TempleSalt Lake City Utah 84115

Water Conservation801.483.6860

www.slcsaveh2o.com

Want to learn more?Would you like to learn more about how to maintain a healthy, water-wise landscape?Visit our website at www.slcsaveh2o.comfor more tips, brochures, and suggestedreadings.

Garden Wise is on the Web!SLC TV17 Garden Wise is now available forviewing. Garden Wise is a TV program onhow to have a beautiful, healthy and lowwater garden. Got questions? Email us atgardenwise@slcgov.com.

FFrreeee iiss GGooooddCall 1-877-728-3420 to schedule a free irrigationsystem check. Did we mention it was free?

Always use water wisely.

You can Have a HealthyLawn and Use less Water

Over-watering can weaken lawns, making themmore susceptible to damage from disease

and fungus, insects and weeds. By wateringless, your lawn will be healthier and you cansave time and money, too.

Here are the signs of overwatering:

� Water running off the lawn� Water puddles on the lawn � Shallow lawn roots

� Increased insect, disease, and fungus problems, and mushrooms

� Shrubs and other plants have yellowingfoliage

Grass by any other name:

To minimize maintenance problems, use grassspecies that are appropriate for your yard andits specific conditions. Is it sunny or shady, orsomewhere in between? Is the soil heavy clay or loose sand? Will the turf see a lot of play orjust an occasional lounger? By answering thesequestions, you can pick the right grass and savetime, money, and water.

To pick a turf or to learn about grass alternatives,visit www.slcsaveh2o.com.

An important step in using water wisely is

to maintain irrigation systems properly.

Follow the simple steps inside this

brochure for a more efficient irrigation

system and a healthier lawn.

LawnWateringfor the

Water-WiseLandscape

LawnWateringfor the

Water-WiseLandscape

SALT LAKE CITY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES

SALT LAKE CITY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES

05/2012 A Garden Guide for Residential Landscapes

Water in cycles.

By dividing your watering time into threeshorter cycles with time in between, waterhas more time to penetrate the soil andreach the root zone. This means run-off is minimized and more water gets to theroots. Divide the amount of time it took toapply 1/2 inch of water by three, and youhave the length of time for each of three irrigation cycles. Allow about an hourbetween cycles.

Water evenly.

Are there areas that get more or less waterthan others? Check for repairs or adjust-ments or drag out a hose to water thebrown spots (don’t water the whole lawn).

Follow the watering schedule.

Now that you have repaired or adjustedthe sprinkler nozzles, and know how longto cycle, here is a schedule for a healthylawn.

Water deeply.

The goal is to wet the soil four to sixinches deep. To check, push a screwdriver into the soil—it will take little effortif it is moist.

Tune-up the irrigation system.

With the sprinkler system on, check forbroken, crooked, or clogged nozzles, andrepair or replace them. Don’t forget tocheck the fittings below the heads.

Water the lawn, not the concrete.

While the irrigation system is running,notice if water is spraying walks, gutters,or driveways. Replace full circle headswith quarter or half heads where neededto minimize waste.

Water just enough.

The precipitation rate is a measure of howmany inches of water per hour a sprinklerapplies.

Collect some empty containers—soupcans work fine—and using a permanentmarker, place a mark 1/2 inch from thebottom of the container (use at least fourcontainers). Place the containers in aneven pattern over the lawn, one irrigationzone at a time. Turn on the zone and timehow long it takes for water to reach themark. Now you know just how long ittakes to put 1/2 inch of water on yourlawn.

M O N T H I N T E R VA L1/2” of water per interval

Startup until April 30 Once every 7-14 days

May Once every 4-7 days

June, July, August Once every 3-4 days

September Once every 7-10 days

October to shutdown Once every 7-14 days

You may need to water less or more dependingon the weather.

If it rains or is windy, remember to turn off yourautomatic system.

Other Ways to SaveTToo KKnnooww UUss iiss ttoo WWaatteerr UUss LLeessss

Most trees, shrubs, and flowers need less waterthan your lawn. By watering them separately fromthe lawn, you’ll not only save water, everythingwill be healthier.

GGiivvee iitt aa RReessttDuring the hottest part of the summer, grasseslike Bluegrass may go dormant – this is normal.The grass will green up as soon as the tempera-ture drops or the day-length shortens.

CCaann’’tt SSttoopp tthhee RRaaiinnRemember to turn off your sprinklers when itrains.

YYoouurr RRoooottss aarree SShhoowwiinnggTo keep soil moist and cool, and to reduceweeds, place three to four inches of compost,bark, or fine gravel under and between trees,shrubs, and perennials.

WWaatteerr bbyy DDeeggrreeeessIn cooler weather, water the same amount, butincrease the number of days between watering.

LLiimmpp aass aa DDiisshhrraaggCheck plants for heat stress in the morning.Usually, drooping leaves in the evening is a sur-vival technique, but limp leaves in the morningmay be a sign a plant needs water.

GGoo OOnn aa lleessss--llaawwnn DDiieettIf the only time you’re on the lawn is when youmow it, think of replacing part of the lawn withlow-water, low-maintenance ground covers, oreven a patio or deck.

Is Your Lawn Water Wise?Lawn TipsDDoonn’’tt KKiillll IItt wwiitthh KKiinnddnneessss

During the heat of the summer, your lawn onlyneeds to be watered about twice a week.

WWaatteerr iinn CCyycclleessBy dividing your watering time into threeshorter cycles with time in between, water hasmore time to penetrate the soil and reach theroot zone. This means run-off is minimized andmore water gets to the roots.

MMooww HHiigghhWhen grass is allowed to grow higher, rootshave a chance to grow deeper. Deep roots help your lawn withstand changes in temperatures, even the extremes. Deep rootsalso need less water. Mowing high also meansyou get to mow less often.

RReeccyyccllee YYoouurr GGrraassssLeave grass clippings on the lawn to providenutrients and to keep the soil cool, or putthem in your Tan Can.

LLeett tthhee AAiirr IInnRoots need air, too. Aerating your lawn helpscompacted soils loosen up, and increases thetransfer of air into the soil so roots can breathedeep.