Promoting Conservation Through Irrigation (NAPSA)—When it comes to watering your yard, you may be able to save yourself some “green” —without your lawn turning brown—by using an automatic irrigation system. If that system is correctly designed, installed and maintained, it can keep your landscape looking lush using the least amount of water. Here are a few moretips, from gardening expert Paul James, that mayhelp: *Waste not, want not—In- stead of watering for one long continuoussession, 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. *Raise the blade—Trim grass at a higher mower setting to shade roots from sunlight and encourage deeper roots. Lawns with longer grass blades (2 inches) will retain more moisture and encourage deeper, healthier roots. *Watch the clock—Water between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., when the sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cool. By watering in the morning, you give the leaves a chance to 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 ground covers, shrubs andtrees. *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 7 nS : LEE ee: “ale Paul James, “The Gardener Guy,” recommendstrimminggrassa little higher, at about 2 inches, to help conservewater. water, not a fine mist, to minimize evaporation and winddrift. Consider drip—When it comes to watering individual trees, flowerbeds, potted contain- ers or other nongrassy 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 by visiting www.rainbird.com.
