Wise Watering Ways (NAPSA)—When it comes to watering your yard, you may be able to save yourself some “green” without your lawn turning brown —hy using an automatic irrigation system. If that system is correctly designed, installed and main- tained, it can keep your landscape looking lush on the least amount ™ . Here are a few “more tips, from ah gardening expert fee os Paul James, that iid “=e mayhelp. tea Waste not, — (@)\|want not. The ——“'greatest waste of Paul James, water comes from GARDENER applying too much, too often—muchof it runs off and is never absorbed. Instead of watering for one long continuous session, try splitting the watering time into shorter periods and take 15-minute breaks in between each session. This will let the water soak in, while minimizing runoff. Watch the clock—Waterbetween 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.—when the sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Midday watering tendsto be less efficient because of water loss due to evaporation and windy conditions dur- ing the day. Watering in the evening isn’t a good idea either because leaves can remain wet overnight—an open invitation for fungus to grow. By watering in the morning, you give the leaves a chanceto dry out during the day. Divide by zones—Different plants need different amounts of water. Divide your yard into separate irrigation zones so the grass can be watered separately and more frequently than groundcovers, shrubs and trees. The grass can be greener on your side of the fence—and you don’t have to use a lot of water. Water only what grows—If you have an underground sprinkler system, make sure the heads are adjusted properly to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways. A properly adjusted sprinkler head should spray large droplets of water, not a fine mist, to minimize evaporation and wind drift. Consider drip—When it comes to watering individual trees, flowerbeds, potted contain- ers or other non-grassy areas, you can apply water directly to the roots with low volume drip irrigation. This will reduce water waste through evaporation or runoff and keep weeds from growing. Do routine inspections— Periodically check your sprinklers to make sure everything is working properly. A clogged head or a torn line can wreak havoc on your landscape and waterbill. Be rain smart—Adjust your irrigation system as the seasons and weather change. You can also install a shut-off device that automatically detects rain or moisture. These devices are inexpensive and let you take advantage of nature’s free watering service. More watering tips from Paul James and Rain Bird Corporation are available at www.rainbird.com.
