(Newswire.net — August 25, 2022) — As any homeowner knows, maintaining a beautiful lawn demands a sufficient water supply. However, with another dry summer looming over us, that water might be in short supply — both from the sky and the sprinkler.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately a third of the country’s water supply is dedicated to irrigation, over 50% of which is wasted by unnecessary use. As the majority of the western region prepares for yet another drought, water conservation has become more important than ever.
Fortunately, Stuart Eyring, CEO of Orbit, believes everyone can do part in using water as effectively and efficiently as possible while ensuring their lawn continues to thrive.
A worldwide leader in manufacturing and supplying innovative water conservation products, Orbit thrives on a focus of product advancement and innovation. Using smart technologies, Orbit offers smart water control and protection solutions, which help users remotely monitor, schedule, and operate watering systems to maintain healthy lawns while helping the environment.
In preparation for the ensuing summer months, we’ve curated some key tips — combined with Eyring’s expert advice — to help you water your lawn more wisely.
Understand Your Grasses’ Needs
“The first step towards lawn-water conservation begins with growing the right grasses. When lawn grasses are acclimated to your area’s typical weather conditions, their water requirements sync up with the region’s natural grass-growing circumstances,” comments Eyring.
Eyring goes on to explain that grasses which are appropriate according to your region will thrive more with less additional water and maintenance.
For example, warm-season grasses, such as zoysia grass or Bermuda grass, thrive in the hot, southern climate. Comparatively, cool-season grasses, like tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass, naturally grow better in the cooler, northern regions.
When water is in short supply, both cool-season and warm-season grasses respond differently. With cool-season grasses, water is lost through their pores, and becomes much less competent than warm-season grasses, which are often easier to manage.
Additionally, your lawn conservation methods will vary according to your grasses’ resistance or tolerance to droughts. While certain grass types will avoid drought by growing deeper root systems, others will escape the drought by going dormant.
Eyring continues, “By choosing regionally appropriate grasses, you can increase your lawn’s chances of thriving, even when water is limited.”
Build a Strong, Reliable Water Management System
While it may not seem like much, most lawns only require about one inch of water each week to maintain a healthy, luscious appearance. This water includes either forms of rainfall or supplemental irrigation.
“As was brought out earlier, implementing water-wise practices will vary according to your climate, location, and grass type. But when they’re understood, your lawn care routine becomes much simpler and easier to manage,” Eyring explains.
The use of water management systems has become more widespread, and homeowners use high-tech tools to distribute water evenly, monitor water data, and track supplemental water levels to improve water conservation efforts.
For example, Orbit’s most popular products use smart technology to help users make wiser watering decisions based on the ecological needs of their yard and environment. Collectively, their products have contributed to over 30 billion gallons of saved water nationwide. “Whatever watering regimen you choose, it’s ultimately important to look to your lawn for proof,” says Eyring.
“Pay attention to not just how your lawn appears, but also feels and reacts. When you step on your lawn, does it spring back up? Or does it stay depressed? Are the grass blades a bright, healthy green? Or do they appear a dull, grayish color? These key indicators will help you determine the efficiency of your lawn-watering routine, and whether it needs changing.”
Abiding By Drought and Water Restrictions
Particularly in western regions, drought and water restrictions are often enforced, which demands a more precise lawn-watering routine. Even if you live in an area that isn’t categorically experiencing a drought, it helps to always be prepared for similar water-wise circumstances.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA), over 50% of the US has experienced abnormally dry weather since 2015. To ensure you’re staying up to date with constantly changing climate conditions, be sure to follow any local weather regulations that might impact the process of caring for your yard.
Abiding by drought and water restrictions doesn’t have to put your lawn in jeopardy. You can start by reducing irrigation over the course of several weeks, instead of cutting off supply all at once. This gives your grass the necessary time to acclimate to changing water conditions.
Also, you can adjust irrigation systems to reduce water in shaded areas and focus water distribution on more exposed areas. This will also help prevent puddling or runoff and improve soak-in periods.
During more severe water shortages, you can shut down your automated watering system altogether and adjust the schedule to compensate for current weather conditions and changing regulations.
Enhancing Your Lawn-Watering Routine This Summer
Depending on a variety of factors, your lawn-watering demands are constantly evolving. Especially as you prepare for the summer, you’ll need to take time to calculate the necessary changes required to maintain a healthy lawn during the hot, dry months.
Using the simple tips outlined in this article, you can start watering your lawn with more wisdom, while also doing your part to aid in water conservation efforts.