Read at :
http://ucanr.org/News/Drought/Drought_documents/?story=356
How to save lots of water in lawns and landscapes without replacing them
by Dennis Pittenger
Area Environmental Horticulturist
University of California Cooperative Extension
After years of below-average rainfall and low snowfall in California, most landscapers, gardeners, and homeowners are facing some type of mandatory or voluntary water conservation. The following tips will help you reduce the water used by lawns and landscapes you take care of and help your customers conserve water without having to replace their lawns and gardens.
First, be sure the irrigation system is set to run at night or during the early morning hours. This reduces evaporation and wind interfering with sprinkler patterns so more water gets to plant roots and less water is used in the landscape. Watering between 2 and 6 a.m. is best, but anytime at night is better than during the day. Nighttime watering in California rarely increases plant diseases because the humidity is relatively low.
Next, do everything possible to help the irrigation system apply water evenly. This can reduce water use by 10% or more and improve plant health. Check sprinkler irrigation systems regularly while they are running and repair or replace sprinklers that are broken, sunken, crooked, or clogged. Look to see that plants are not blocking a sprinkler’s spray pattern and that all emitters are of the same brand and model. These are easy items to fix.
Third, cut the number of days the irrigation system runs!
(continued)
