How much should I water my Lawn? General Info.

By Gino Bargellini

Licensed Irrigator, Backflow inspector and certified auditor

The simple answer is as much as it needs to be watered. Here’s why. Every-one’s landscape is unique to them. You home is the only one on those specific coordinates, with your unique conditions, such as the angle in which the sun hits your lawn, or the fact that you even though you get west sun you have a house or a fence that blocks the sun. The best person to answer the question of “how much should I water my lawn“– is you. Of course I wont leave y friends high and dry –I do have some general rules and tips for you but the reality is that it’s going to take a little effort-and a  little trial and error on your part to figure out exactly what’s best for your lawn.  Click on the links below for specific tips to help you figure out how much to water your lawn. The main information you need is how much to water and how often to water. Smart Controllers help significantly but if your system isn’t properly designed or installed you will still need to make adjustments to the scheduling. Purchase a moisture meter-it is the best tool to help you figure out your water needs for both your lawn and landscape. Naturally the best way to water is manually and only when you see that your plants need it. For most of us we just don’t have the time to dedicate to the surveillance of our lawns.

General Guide Lines for watering your Lawn in the Summer.

Please note: If you have a lot of shade you do not have to water as often. Shade does not allow the water to evaporate as fast and luckily for you this means you don’t have to water as often or as much.

85-90 degrees  Water every 7-10 days

90-95 degrees Water every 5-7 days

95-100 degrees Water every 4-5 days

100+ degrees  Water every 3-4 days

If you would like specific information on how to figure out how much to water your specific lawn click here. Keep in mind that these are just generalizations. Here are some exceptions to consider: If you have 6 hours of sun and your house faces west you will need to water more. If you your house faces north and you only have 2 hours of sun you will be watering less. If you have new plantings this summer you will really need to be vigilant. They will be thirstier that your other plants. In 100 degree weather annuals will more than likely need to be watered daily. Make sure you check your sprinklers periodically. One misaligned or broken head can lead to quick death in hot dry weather.

Gino Bargellini is the Vice President of Dallas Curb Appeal, a full service landscape contractor in Dallas and DFW Christmas Lights, installing holiday lighting throughout the metroplex.

Other Articles you might be interested in:

how much to water your lawn(specific DIY)

Sprinklers VS. Drip

Watering new sod

Drip Irrigation

How to do your own sprinkler check

How to do your own water audit

Sprinklers Dallas: Drip VS. Spray

By Maria Bargellini

Dallas Landscape and Irrigation Contractor

So you want to get a sprinkler system but you can’t decide what to have installed, drip or spray. In some cases you actually might not have a say in the matter. New state regulations call for drip zones to be used for foundations, flower beds and parkways that are less than 4-5 feet wide. These new rules have been changing and evolving over the last to years in an effort to conserve water and educate the public on proper irrigation practices. Below are the advantages and disadvantages for both systems.

Drip Cons

• Drip systems in Dallas are more expensive per zone because of the additional cost of materials needed.
• Maintenance  is a bit more intensive. The system has to been “flushed” 1-2 times a year
• Because it’s sub-surface you cannot see whether the drip system is working until plants start wilting
• When installing new plantings extra care must be taken that you do not cut the lines

Drip Pros

• Water conservation--save time, money and water with this system
• Even distribution of water
• A drip system is silent-no more waking up at 3am when your neighbors sprinklers go off
• Drip is better for your foundation watering
• Even distribution of water
• Plants benefit from the water going directly to the roots and not on the leaves
• Easier install for DIYers

Spray Cons

• These systems can be really good at wasting water due to wind, sun and disrepair
• They can be noisy especially if there’s a  leak which will make the pipes rattle
• Over-spraying on sidewalks and roadways can lead to icy conditions resulting in pedestrian or vehicle incident
• Sprinkler heads are often broken by foot traffic and mower damage. Un-repaired heads can lead to 1000′s of gallons of water waste and nozzles are usually in need of unclogging and re-adjusting
• Spray systems are buried deeper than drip systems so repairs are more labor intensive

Spray Pros

• Less expensive than drip systems
• Easier for a homeowner to check, adjust and repair
• Replacement parts are easily available and inexpensive

If you are installing a new sprinkler system you do not have much choice. New regulations require the use of drip in most cases such as in watering foundations, parkways, and flower beds. If you are amending a system you are more than likely not obligated to follow the new rules, however you can benefit greatly from upgrading your system. In the near future expect to see more municipalities giving incentives for using water conserving methods. In some cases it can be in the form of rebates,  fines, credits, etc.

If you would like an estimate on a sprinkler system or a Drip system please feel free to call at 214-257-8155 or you may leave a comment bellow and someone will get to you shortly. (License LI16405)

Other Articles you might be interested in:

how much to water your lawn(specific DIY)

How much to water (general info)

Watering new sod

Drip Irrigation

For more sprinkler information and tips like troubleshooting visit our new site, www.LawnSprinklersDallas.Com

Watering new sod can be a little tricky because they’re so many variables that hinder your best efforts to generalize watering for both new sod and existing turf. The general rule is to water for 2-3 weeks regularly to avoid drying. This can be daily if you have an area that is in full sun

Here Are a Few Variables to Consider

Sod Quality: The sod we use is cut the night before at a local sod farm and shipped fresh to the sod broker for pick up. It is moist when installed and watered at the time of installation. Watch for lower quality sod (seconds) that can be purchase for less and is often used by to cut cost. Beware of the true good to be true price.

Shade: The more shade you have the less you have to water. We are all busy people but if you invested the money in your new sod –be vigilant those first two weeks. Be careful not to over-water as it can be as equally harmful as not watering. You want to keep your sod moist for those crucial first 2-3 weeks.

Hint: if you are sloshing around your yard–you over watered.

Sprinklers: If half your sod is in shade and the other is in sun and they share 1 zone you have a bit of a problem. Your going to have to hand water the sunnier side to compensate for the drying. Do not over water the shade side.

Lack of sprinklers: Install your grass in the fall or when it’s dormant in the winter so that the need for water is less. Nobody wants to be out there in 105 degree heat running around moving their portable sprinkler.

Sprinkler run-off: Save water by following these tips. Turn on the zone and watch for the point of run off or over saturation . It is usually somewhere around 6-10 minutes. Set your sprinklers for that time and water daily. You may water 2x in one day for half as many days (watch for dryness). This is only for new sod.

Continued watering: While you’re out there getting wet set out your tuna fish cans or purchase inexpensive water catch cans from us and use them to see how long it takes to get an inch of water.  If it takes 20 minutes and you can only water for 10 minutes before  run-off then apply water 2x at 10mins on the same day. Do not water during restricted hours. Check your local municipalities ordinances for approved times. Most of our grasses only need 1 inch every 5-10 days. Include rainfall in your calculations.

Helpful Links

Save Water Dallas

Waterwise Landscaping

Free irrigation check ups

Virtual Resource center

Call for Entries for 18th Annual Water-Wise Landscape Tour

Entry Deadline: April 13, 2012

The annual Water-Wise Landscape Tour, to be held Saturday, June 2, 2012, is open to all landscapes within Dallas city limits and the city limits of Dallas’ wholesale customers or reciprocal cities. These cities include: Addison, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, The Colony, Coppell, DeSoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Garland, Glenn Heights, Grand Prairie, Highland Park, Hutchins, Irving, Lancaster, Lewisville, Mesquite, Plano, Red Oak,Richardson, Seagoville and University Park. Previous award winners are invited to participate in the tour, but may not compete for prizes for five years after receiving an award. Tour judges, sponsors, City of Dallas employees or their families are not eligible for prizes. The Water-Wise Landscape Tour is co-sponsored by City of Dallas Water Conservation, City of Dallas Stormwater Management, Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Inc., Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and the Town of Addison. The tour will feature landscapes (back yard landscapes may be included at the discretion of the homeowner).

Up to five residential award winners will receive the following prizes:

• 1 antique rose plant per winner from the Antique Rose Emporium
• 25 gift certificate from Bruce Miller Nurseries
• 2 General Admission passes from the Dallas Museum of Art
• 1 40-bag of fertilizer from GreenSense Natural Fertilizers
• $25 gift certificates from North Haven Gardens
• $25 gift certificate from Redenta’s
• $25 gift certificate from Rohde’s Nursery and Nature Store
• 7 bags of any of SBS bagged products from Soil Building Systems, Inc.
• 1 family membership from Texas Discovery Gardens
• $25 gift certificate from Weston Gardens in Bloom, Inc.

Entries will be judged in mid-April.

Click here for more information on the Call for Entries or to fill out the entry form or call us at (214) 670-3155.

Commercial Water Audits

Water Audits in Allen are now a requirement for commercial properties.  A certificate of occupancy will not be granted unless a water audit is submitted to the City of Allen. Dallas does not currently require that a water audit be done but expect to see request for water audits from many municipalities in the future. Most Audits can be done within 48hours. If you would like to schedule an audit please contact us at 214-257-8155.

Residential Water Audits

We are in the process of getting together homeowner survival kits and DIY auditing kits. Please call in for more information on how to do your own home water Audit.

Indoor Audits

Below are helpful links to help minimize your indoor water use.
(As of 4-14-10 these links are working. Please leave a comment to let us know if they are broken)

Save Water Dallas

$90 voucher for new low flow toilet.

You may qualify for minor fresh water leaks click here for more info.

Texas Water Development Board This is a great source for literature on conservation in and outdoors.

Texas A&M Water Audit sheet (residential only–these sheets cannot be submitted to city municipalities)

7 Step School Water Audit School audit sheet

Backflow Inspections

If you have any questions please contact us at 214-257-8155 or at Sales@DallasCurbAppeal.Com

What is a BackFlow Device?

(Wikipedia Definition & Diagram)

This is a device that should have been installed with your irrigation system that, when functioning properly, prevents non-potable or “waste” water from mixing with your potable or “clean” water supply that enters your home.

Backflow Prevention Devices

• Double check valve (DCVA)
• Pressure vacuum breaker assembly (PVB)
• Reduced pressure zone device (RPZ)

In some cities both Residential and Commercial properties have to be inspected every 1-3 years. We expect that in the near future all properties will require backflow device testing on a yearly basis.

American BackFlow Prevention Association

Water Audits

In an effort to conserve water and improve public safety the State of Texas along with your Local Municipalities have implemented changes to their irrigation ordinances for both commercial and residential properties. Consult your local department of building inspections for details on the rules and restrictions governing your area.

Drip Irrigation

Water Is Our Most Valuable Resource. Unfortunately irrigation and drainage is often overlooked when installing your landscaping. On average, landscape water usage accounts for over 30% of your total usage. The Right Design and Equipment can Conserve Water and Save you Money. Call today and find out how we can help you save Up To 50% on your next water bill.

One of the easiest ways to conserve water and make your plants look their best is to add drip irrigation. Some of the reasons people shy away from drip is because they think that a soaker hose is the equivalent or that drip needs to be on top, or inside the mulch, making it difficult to hide. Those theories are both wrong. A soaker hose is not a substitute for a drip system nor is it efficient in it’s water delivery system.

We install drip line at 6″ in the ground. You want your water delivered at this height to encourage roots to grow deep into the sub surface. The emitters (holes) in the drip line are spaced according to the application, in 12″ -18″ increments. A soaker hose secretes water throughout it’s entire length making it’s water distribution uneven.

A correctly installed system requires the use of a filter and clean outs to insure that it does not get clogged, and that the water is not compromised by large particles. Drip systems have been used for years and are replacing traditional irrigation systems in the agriculture, greenhouses and nurseries sectors. Drip irrigation is not a system for the future, it’s for the here and now and will help to ensure that our children and their children will have the water that they need.

New legislature concerning irrigation is in effect 1/1/ 09. Some of the new standards include the mandatory use of evapotransporational controllers (smart Controllers), drip zones for sections of grass narrower then 4 feet and individual drip zones for flowers and foundations, to name a few.

Don’t trust your installation to just anyone. In Texas all irrigation repairs and installations are to be done by a Licensed professional. This is to protect the consumer from individuals who are not up to date on code compliance, water conservation methods and proper installation techniques.

I know a good deal can be hard to pass up but with fines staring at $500 in most cities, in the end that “Great Deal” can cost hundreds more when you factor in fines, water waste and repairs. Have your system installed by a licensed and reputable company.

Water Features

We install several different types of Water Features. We can help you understand your options and choose the feature that best fits your lifestyle.

Ponds, Streams, and Waterfalls can be as simple or as complex as you want them to be. Below are the different installation types. But it doesn’t end there. Dallas Curb Appeal can incorporate your existing landscape to enhance the experience. Call today and find out how we can help you get the serenity you’ve always wanted.

Below you will find a link to download the pond owners handbook. See for yourself just how easy owning your own little peace of tranquility can be.

Pondless Waterfall

Love waterfalls but don’t want a Pond? Pondless waterfalls are just the thing. All the sound and comfort of rushing water without a body of water.

We can build you a natural looking waterfall that crashes down onto rocks and disappears. And It doesn’t end there. We can incorporate your existing hardscape into the water features, you can also add a 10′-30′ stream that winds through the landscape. With tons of design possibilities it’s definitely worth taking a look at.

AquaBasins

These can range in size and complexity. This system consist of a reservoir to hold and circulate water, a pump, a vessel and plumbing fittings.

The most commonly used vessels are pottery. They come in many colors, textures, heights, and shapes. Pricing for these water features are dependant primarily on the types of vessels used. Click here for more information.

Eco System Ponds

We use a balance Ecosystem, developed by Aquascapes that is designed to balance out your pond the natural way. No exposed pipes, no viable liner, no huge filtration equipment. It’s as simple as Fish, plants, and gravel.

The most popular Pond Sizes are:

• Small

1. 1. 4′x6′ (Pondless Only)
   2. 6′x8′
   3. 8′x11 (Best Seller)

• Medium

1. 4′x6′ (Pondless Only)
2. 8′x11
3. 11′x11
4. 11′x16′ (Best Seller)

• Large

1. 11′x16
2. 16′x21(Best Seller)
3. 21′x26′

Irrigation

Water Is Our Most Valuable Resource. Unfortunately irrigation and drainage is often overlooked when installing your landscaping. On average, landscape water usage accounts for over 30% of your total usage.

The Right Design and Equipment can Conserve Water and Save you Money. Call today and find out how we can help you save Up To 50% on your next water bill.

Conserving water can be as Simple as:

• Upgrading to a Smart Controller
• Adding a Rain/Freeze Sensor
• Using Water Saving Nozzles
• Adding Drip Irrigation

New legislature concerning irrigation goes into effect 1/1/ 09. The new standards include the mandatory use of evapotransporational controllers (smart Controllers), drip zones for sections of grass narrower then 4 feet and individual drip zones for flowers and foundations, to name a few.

Don’t trust your installation to just anyone. In Texas all irrigation repairs and installations are to be done by a Licensed professional. This is to protect the consumer from individuals who are not up to date on code compliance, water conservation methods and proper installation techniques.

I know a good deal can be hard to pass up but with fines staring at $500 in most cities, in the end that “Great Deal” can cost hundreds more when you factor in fines, water waste and repairs. Have your system installed by a licensed and reputable company.