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Springtime Irrigation Maintenance
By Juan Soulas
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| Inspect your irrigation system for potential problems monthly and have it checked thoroughly at least twice a year. | |
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An automated irrigation system offers many conveniences, but convenience is not without responsibility. You should inspect your irrigation system for potential problems monthly and have it checked thoroughly at least twice a year, in the fall and spring. If not properly maintained, large amounts of water can be wasted.
Before you use your irrigation system this spring, check it for:
- Broken, leaning, and/or clogged sprinkler heads
- Heads spraying on sidewalks, driveways, patios or streets
- Extremely fine mist that could evaporate before it hits the ground
- Uneven coverage and sprays blocked by landscape material
Also, examine the controller for start times and frequency of use. Set a schedule that is appropriate for your landscape. During the hottest, driest time of the year you shouldn't need to run your irrigation system more than once per week for turf, and no more than once every two to three weeks for beds. If you have drought tolerant plant material, irrigate even less often, if at all.
If inspecting your irrigation system is too daunting, have it checked by a licensed irrigator. Make sure they set your controller to a water-saving setting.
Juan Soulas is a conservation planner for San Antonio Water System.
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Monday, Mar. 30, 2009 |
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0.5 in.
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Bermuda (Full Sun)
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0 in.
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Buffalo (Full Sun)
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0.5 in.
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St. Augustine (Full Sun)
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0.5 in.
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St. Augustine (Shade)
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0.5 in.
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Zoysia (Full Sun)
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0.5 in.
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Zoysia (Shade)
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Use these amounts to water this evening after
8 p.m. or tomorrow morning before 10 a.m.
For a healthy lawn, water no more than twice a month, or less if you have drought tolerant grass.
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Remarks:
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Dry conditions continue. Use water judiciously to avoid water restrictions. Concentrate water to high value trees, shrubs, and perennials
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My St. Augustine lawn is dead. Should I re-sod, or plant Bermuda seed?
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It all depends on the lawn location. If the lawn is in the sun, Bermuda grass is the preferred choice and seed or sod may be used. If the lawn is in partial shade, St. Augustine is the preferred choice. There is no seed for St. Augustine so sod or plugs must be used. The choice also depends on finances. Floratam, a hybrid variety of St. Augustine grass, is very aggressive and can be used in either location. Or better yet, use this opportunity to replace dead lawn areas with low-maintenance, drou
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E-mail your question to GardenGeek@saws.org
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Spanish Dagger
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(Yucca aloifolia)
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This yucca has dangerously stiff leaves so it needs to be planted in areas that don’t have a lot of human or animal traffic. It blooms an attractive white flower cluster in early summer. This plant does not need very much water, but it does need excellent drainage to avoid root rot. Yucca is perfect for desert-style gardens.
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Wisteria
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(Wisteria sinensis)
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Wisteria is a climbing vine that blooms purple grape bunch-style blooms in early spring. By late spring, the vine loses its blooms and becomes a green climber. The vine will grow very tall, so consider providing a trellis to help support it.
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Neighborhood Birds
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April 11 10 a.m. - Noon
Friedrich Park, 21395 Milsa
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Do you enjoy watching the birds? Learn the basics of binocular use and bird identification. Class is recommended for children 7 and older. Call 210-564-6400 for reservations and information. Suggested donation is $3 per person, $5 per family.
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