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June/July 2003
Shape Up For Summer
For starters, set your irrigation clock to water in the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler so less water will evaporate in the scorching sun and high winds. From May 1 to Oct. 1, ordinances prohibit watering between noon and 7 p.m. in Las Vegas, Henderson and unincorporated areas of Clark County, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in North Las Vegas. Hand-watering and watering landscapes less than 30 days old are permitted. Ordinances prohibiting water waste (water running into the street or public right of way) are in effect year-round so check your property for broken or misaligned sprinkler heads, broken drip emitters, and water runoff. Another way to reduce water waste and to help your landscape look its best is to water in cycles. Rather than watering all at once, water grass areas in three short cycles, one hour apart. For example, set your timer to water once at 3 a.m. for four minutes. Set the timer for a second cycle, also four minutes, at 4 a.m. and again at 5 a.m. The three cycles will allow your grass to absorb more water than watering just once for 12 minutes. This helps to promote healthy growth and prevents the water from running off of the landscape. If your landscape has a steep slope, you might need to cut the cycle to just two to three minutes. Plants have different water needs than turf so water flowers, trees and shrubs separately from grass areas. In the summer months, set your drip system to water plants three days per week, once time a day, for one hour for low-flow drip emitters. The "brain" of your landscape is the irrigation clock. If your clock doesn't give you the flexibility to water according to the above schedule, or if it doesn't allow you to water every other day, consider upgrading to a clock that does offer these options. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) offers a rebate program that can help to offset part of the purchase price of a new clock. Call the SNWA's Conservation Helpline at 258-SAVE before you replace your clock to see if you qualify for the rebate. With these tips, your landscape can look its best this summer. For more water-smart landscaping tips, visit the SNWA online at snwa.com. |
