Irrigation IPM
Proper irrigation means watering to avoid drought conditions and disease in your lawn. Homeowners should only water in the early morning hours. This is important to avoid both evaporation and fungus. When a lawn is irrigated at 5:00am, for example, the water has a chance to absorb into the soil because of the lower morning temperatures. At the same time, once the sun begins generating heat, the lawn will have an opportunity to dry and disease prevention is achieved. S
Irrigate your lawn for longer periods of time to promote deep root growth. It is better to irrigate three times per week for 45 minutes per zone than to water every day for ten minutes per zone. A lawn with deeper root growth is a healthy lawn that is able to withstand drought and can better out compete weeds.
Lawns irrigated lightly thorough out the dormant months have a greater chance of surviving winter without cold damage.
A dry lawn is a haven to chinch bugs and weeds.
Turf areas in direct sunlight, or on slopes will need more water while areas in shade will need less. If you notice gray or hazy spots in your lawn, that is a sign of drought. Other signs of drought include grass blades that are folded up, crunchy sounds when grass is walked on, and foot imprints that remain after the grass is walked on.
Proper irrigation extends to the landscape beds as well, and the same rules apply. Water deeply and in the morning hours only. Make sure your shrubs have not overgrown the reach of your irrigation system. Often times an insect infestation will occur on drought stressed shrubs; and the cause can be traced to overgrown shrubs blocking sprinkler heads.
Inspect your overall irrigation system frequently to check for blocked, clogged or broken sprinkler heads. Check to make sure you are getting the coverage and pressure you should be getting. Call in an irrigation specialist to properly maintain your system.
