Master Gardener^sm Column for the Week of May 9, 2005
Charlie Spencer
Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener^sm Volunteer

During the next two weeks, a discussion of lawn problems will be the focus. First we will look at irrigation of the lawn and then follow up with proper mowing procedures.

Water is a precious substance. It is conceivable that water will be rationed in the not-too-distant future. Many areas of the country already have water rationing. Hopefully, this article could help postpone rationing in this area.

Your lawn doesn’t have to suffer, but you don’t want to just turn on the sprinklers anytime you feel the lawn needs a drink. This could waste water and damage lawns. But homeowners can easily supply their lawns with needed water. Follow the instructions provided.

It doesn’t matter if you use a permanent system or a sprinkler attached to a hose. The first thing you need to know is how much water you’re applying and how fast. Not knowing your water application rate is like driving a car with no speedometer.

Different systems apply water at different rates. Hose-sprinkler systems vary the most. Space three rain gauges within the watering area of your system. Look at your watch. After an hour has passed, check your gauges to see how much water your system puts out in that time. You can use cat food cans or pie pans – measure the water in the pans.

Most lawns grow best when they get one inch of water a week, either from rain, irrigation, or a combination of the two. And they prefer long soakings. In dry weather, water twice a week to get that one inch of water (minimum of one-half inch at a time). Light, frequent watering can cause turfgrasses to develop shallow roots. This can lead to many problems, including disease and insect damage and discoloring from poor fertility.

The grass at the very end of a sprinkler’s trajectory may not get as much water as the grass closer to the sprinkler. Permanent systems should be set for overlap in sprinkler patterns to adjust for this. Remember this when you move your hose-sprinkler system. You want your lawn to be uniformly wet. Water at the right time too--early morning is the preferred time to water because it reduces the risk of disease, water loss through evaporation, and improper water distribution. If you don’t, you could just waste time and water. There is research and evidence to show that you can lose as much as half the water if it’s applied during peak daylight hours.

North Carolina should have a typical humid summer with temperatures in the mid-80s and 90s and spikes around 100. The heat should generate hit-or-miss afternoon thunderstorms. An above-average tropical weather season is forecast for the Atlantic Ocean, but fewer storms than in 2004 will likely make landfall according to long-range forecasts.

Next week the discussion will center on proper mowing. Some of the information provided in this column by Kerry Harrison, Extension specialist with the University of Georgia.

Send your gardening questions or comments to: Brunswick County Master Gardener Column, P.O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422, or call (910) 253-2610. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if requesting information or a reply. Answers may be printed in this column.

For further information or assistance, please e-mail:
Charlie Spencer, Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener^smVolunteer

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Date Created 5/4/2005