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Water -Saving Strategies for Your Lawn <br />By Sam Bauer, University of MN Extension Turfgrass Educator sibauer@umn.edu <br />Are you ready for a beautiful lawn this year? In the Twin Cities, on average three times <br />more water is used during the summer than in the winter because of outdoor <br />irrigation. Save money, keep your grass happy and help the city conserve water by <br />following these water -saving tips: <br />1) Watch the weather: During a Minnesota summer, we may see heavy rains <br />followed by extended drought. Save on your water bill by no longer relying on <br />the "set it and forget it" irrigation schedule that is often programmed into <br />automatic systems. Operate irrigation controllers in manual mode and turn the <br />controller on only when your lawn shows signs of drought. <br />2) Drought -friendly fescue to the rescue! Whether you are establishing a new <br />lawn or renovating an existing lawn, choosing the right grass species can <br />make a difference! Fine fescue, and tall fescue offer the best drought <br />tolerance. Fine fescues simply use less water, and tall fescue has a deep root <br />system able to access more moisture. <br />3) Adjust irrigation programs to conserve water: To encourage rooting and <br />drought tolerance, water your lawn infrequently (one time or less per week) <br />wetting the soil six inches deep, assuming no rainfall has occurred. <br />Depending on your soil type, your lawn may only need as little as a half -inch <br />of water. Don't water in the heat of the day --set irrigation programs to water <br />during the morning hours to retain moisture. <br />4) "Water -wise" technologies: Rain sensors connected to irrigation controllers <br />are good water -saving devices along with "smart" irrigation controllers, soil <br />moisture sensors and more efficient sprinklers. Smart irrigation controllers <br />save water by automatically adjusting irrigation programs based on water <br />use estimates or stored historical data. Inexpensive ($150 or less) soil <br />moisture sensors can placed throughout the lawn and they won't allow an <br />irrigation system to run if soil moisture levels are good. <br />5) "Water -wise" lawn maintenance: High mowing heights (3 inches or greater) <br />and proper fertilizer use will not only improve your lawn, but reduce the <br />amount of water it needs. Lawn aeration followed by top -dressing with <br />quality compost can lessen compaction and add organic matter to soil. This <br />improves water infiltration in heavy soils as well as increase moisture - <br />holding capacity of sandy soils that drain rapidly. <br />