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Lawn experts give advice on keeping grass alive during drought

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Lawns will possibly survive more government-imposed irrigation decreases during the drought, but there are devices two local landscape experts say could save just as much water without eliminating watering days.

“I’m fuming, it’s one of the most short-sighted things,” said Scott Lawn, owner of Greenway Lawn Aeration, which has served the Poway/Rancho Bernardo area since 1992. Lawn was referring to the Poway City Council’s decision last week to restrict outdoor irrigation to 10 minutes per station, two days a week as of May 1.

Currently, Poway water customers can irrigate on assigned days for up to 10 minutes per station three days a week. The time restriction does not apply to drip, micro-irrigation or stream rotor systems. Owners of newly installed low water-use landscaping can apply for an exemption or modification to the watering schedule restrictions. For details, go to tinyurl.com/PowayWaterRules.

Rancho Bernardo and other City of San Diego water customers can irrigate with a standard sprinkler system three days a week, for seven minutes from Nov. 1 to May 31 and 10 minutes from June 1 to Oct. 31. Time limits do not apply to landscape irrigation systems using water-efficient devices, including drip and micro-irrigation systems and stream rotor sprinklers. The assigned three days — based on address — apply to all. For details, go to tinyurl.com/SDWaterRules.

4S Ranch water users — served by Olivenhain Municipal Water District — may irrigate for 10 minutes per station three days a week based on address. Time limits do not apply to water efficient devices like weather-based controllers, drip/micro-irrigation systems and stream rotor sprinklers. For details, go to tinyurl.com/4SRanchWaterRules.

“Watering (two days) cannot sustain any landscape in Poway,” Lawn said. “It will kill the lawns and most of the bushes and ground cover. Nothing will exist with 20 minutes of water over two days. It’s ridiculous.

“There are many other solutions that (Poway city officials) have not sought out. It is a simple fix to reduce (watering by a day),” he said.

Lawn said Poway leaders should have instead decided to offer rebates to those who install water-efficient devices like stream rotor sprinklers, dripline emitters and multi-program timers.

Tom Allen, whose landscape services company has served the Poway/Rancho Bernardo area since 1987, said, “Grass will survive (on two days), but it will not be a lush green. It will look a little peaked, not look good.”

Allen said grass’ survival will largely depend upon the type of grass and whether its roots go down into the ground or are shallow. Deep roots are better he said because shallow roots dry out faster. He also said aeration helps because it encourages deeper, more compacted root growth.

“Lawns do really well with Bermuda grass once it is established and gets its roots down,” Allen said. “So does short fescue, which needs less water than tall fescue. Rye is more for over seeding and filler. It requires more water.”

Allen said Bermuda grass goes dormant in the winter, which is why people often over seed with rye during colder months. Fescue stays green year-round, but its growth slows in the winter. “Fescue will come back, definitely,” he said.

Lawn and Allen both said using low-flow sprinkler systems would be better than traditional spray sprinklers since the low-flow type do not emit as much water and the water is more beneficial since it soaks into the ground rather than being lost to evaporation and misdirection, as often happens with spray-style sprinklers.

They also said the time of day irrigation occurs is key. Both said late night watering can lead to other problems, including fungus, but early morning watering typically avoids this problem since the water soaks in, and what does not evaporates with the morning sun. Allen added breezes are usually lighter during early morning hours, so the water goes where it is intended.

Lawn said he advises his clients to water in smaller increments instead of 10 minutes all at once. So for example, their sprinklers could go off for two minutes every half hour or hour, starting at 5 a.m. This way the water soaks in instead of running off.

Allen said he has clients begin irrigation cycles as early as 2 or 3 a.m. and sees no problem with a full 10-minutes as long as that does not lead to runoff, as can occur on a slope.

For those wanting to remove part or all of their grass, Lawn and Allen said there are many options. Artificial turf is one, but Lawn said people need to think about where they plan to place it. In low traffic areas it is projected to last 10 to 15 years, but in heavily trod areas it can start showing wear as soon as six months.

“(Unlike real grass), it does not repair itself,” Lawn said. “As an accent and for casual use it’s great. But if there is a lot of playing on it and people traffic, it’s not going to last as long.”

Lawn said those wanting to keep some grass should look at where they use it the most. Periphery, non-essential areas are ideal for turf removal, replaced with drought-tolerant plant landscaping. “You can reduce the size and still enjoy your lawn,” he said.

Whether people do the work themselves or hire someone, both said consulting with a professional is wise when adjusting one’s irrigation system or replacing turf.

“Before you decide to give (grass) up, look for a professional who can guide you on proper removal and alternatives, whether they be drought tolerant plants, desert (landscapes) or synthetic turf,” Lawn said.

For information on possible rebates go to BeWaterWise.com and WhenInDrought.org. The City of San Diego also announced it will offer new rebates through its website, sandiego.gov. Before commencing work, Lawn said apply for the rebate since sometimes funds are limited.

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