DROUGHT INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS TO CONSERVE WATER

In Organo-Lawn’s service areas there are many forms of water restrictions including people with no water restrictions. Therefore, it is difficult for us to know and make recommendations based on each clients situation. We are breaking down the watering situation into three scenarios: No Water Restrictions, Mandatory or Voluntary Water Restrictions (watering 2-3 days per week), and Severe Water Restrictions or Mandatory Water Bans. Your personal watering situation may change during the course of the year depending on the district that you reside. Please review this information and follow the recommendations.

Lawn Care

I. No Watering Restrictions
Continue a regular maintenance plan as scheduled. However, we suggest being more conscious about water conservation by following these suggestions.

1. Maintain a regular fertilization program, preferably with organic products as they have been proven to reduce watering needs in turf.
   
2. Aerate your lawn in the Spring to help alleviate soil compaction and increase root depth. Aerate again in the fall to help with root growth and soil maintenance.
   
3. Have the water retention polymers called Rain Maker applied to your lawn.
   
   1. These potassium polymers retain moisture when it is in excess then release it back to your lawn when needed. Rain Maker has been proven to reduce watering needs between 25-50% depending on the soil type of the lawn.
      
4. Spend the extra time and money to maintenance your sprinkler system.
   
   1. Replace old, broken, or missing sprinkler heads.
      
   2. Adjust heads so that water is not hitting the street or being wasted.
      
   3. Set the timer to water early in the morning or late at night when it is cool.
      
   4. Schedule a monthly checkup, to adjust or repair your sprinkler problems.
      
5. Water deeply and infrequently.
   
   1. Most lawns can tolerate being irrigated every 3-5 days if irrigated properly.
      
   2. Irrigate 1/2 of an inch of water per watering but make sure that sprinkler runoff is not occurring. If water is running off your lawn change your cycle to run two-three times but at shorter time intervals. This will allow your lawn to absorb the water more effectively.
      
   3. Wait to water again only when your lawn shows signs of water stress (footprints, gray/blue coloration).
      
   4. If it rains enough for an adequate lawn watering, make sure to turn off your sprinkler system until your lawn shows signs of water stress.
      
   5. Spot or hand watering the trouble or hot spots of your lawn will allow you to go 1-2 extra days between water cycles.
      
6. Set your mower at the highest setting.
   
   1. Mowing high will help your lawn conserve 25-50% more water than when mowed short
      
   2. Never remove more that 1/3 of the grass blade when mowing.
      
   3. Sharpen your blade frequently to prevent tearing the grass tips which will help the turf retain the moisture better.
      
   4. Mulch your grass clippings because they are comprised of 90% water and will aid in water reduction.
      
   5. Mow in the morning or late evening when it is cooler.
      
7. Plant some shade trees in the lawn. Only do this if you can water the tree until it is established.
   

II. Mandatory or Voluntary Water Restrictions (watering 2-3 days per week)
A healthy and established lawn should be able to remain healthy and green when watered properly every 3-5 days. Organic services should be continued as scheduled, but fast release synthetic fertilizers should be eliminated from the program.

1. Maintain a regular fertilization program, but only with organic products as they have been proven to reduce watering needs in turf and the nitrogen source in organic fertilizers is naturally in a slow release form.
   
2. Aerate your lawn in the Spring to help alleviate soil compaction and increase root depth. Aerate again in the fall to help with root growth and soil maintenance.
   
3. Have the water retention polymers called Rain Maker applied to your lawn.
   
   1. These potassium polymers retain moisture when it is in excess then release it back to your lawn when needed. Rain Maker has been proven to reduce watering needs between 25-50% depending on the soil type of the lawn.
      
4. Spend the extra time and money to maintenance your sprinkler system.
   
   1. Replace old, broken, or missing sprinkler heads.
      
   2. Adjust heads so that water is not hitting the street or being wasted.
      
   3. Set the timer to water early in the morning or late at night when it is cool.
      
   4. Schedule a monthly checkup, to adjust your sprinkler problems.
      
5. Water deeply and infrequently.
   
   1. Most lawns can tolerate being irrigated every 3-5 days if irrigated properly.
      
   2. Irrigate 1/2 of an inch of water (or as allowed by your time limit) per watering but make sure that sprinkler runoff is not occurring. If water is running off your lawn change your cycle to run two-three times but at shorter time intervals. This will allow your lawn to absorb the water more effectively.
      
   3. Voluntary: wait to water again only when your lawn shows signs of water stress (footprints, gray/blue coloration). Mandatory: water your lawn on your next watering day even if your lawn is not showing signs of water stress. This is important as it is more water efficient as your lawn may show signs of stress the day after your watering day and by the time your next watering day returns the lawn is then severely stressed which requires more water.
      
   4. Voluntary: If it rains enough for an adequate lawn watering, make sure to turn off your sprinkler system until your lawn shows signs of water stress. Mandatory: If it rains enough for an adequate lawn watering, make sure to turn off your sprinkler system until your next watering day. If your lawn is severely stressed prior to the rain do not skip a cycle unless the rain and your water day occur on the same day.
      
   5. >Voluntary: Spot or hand watering the trouble or hot spots of your lawn will allow you to go 1-2 extra days between water cycles.
      
   6. Set your mower at the highest setting. Mandatory: Extra spot or hand watering on the trouble or hot spots of your lawn on your watering day will help your lawn maintain moisture better even in the non-hot spots.
      
6. Set your mower at the highest setting.
   
   1. Mowing high will help your lawn conserve 25-50% more water than when mowed short
      
   2. Never remove more that 1/3 of the grass blade when mowing.
      
   3. Sharpen your blade frequently to prevent tearing the grass tips which will help the turf retain the moisture better.
      
   5. Continue mowing until grass growth stops, mow in the morning or late evening when it is cooler.
      
7. Reduce foot traffic on your lawn.
   
8. Plant some shade trees in the lawn. Only do this if you can water the tree until it is established.
   

III. Severe Water Restrictions or Mandatory Bans (watering 0-2 days per week with very short time limits)
Customers may contact us and we will consult on an individual basis to discuss the best choices regarding services, as needed.

1. Fertilize early in March with a 100% organic and slow release nitrogen source like our product Synergy. Eliminate all nitrogen fertilizer from the program in the summer. Fall fertilization should be performed with a 100% organic slow release nitrogen source like Synergy only if the turf survive the summer, if it did not survive no fertilization should be performed.
   
2. Aerate your lawn in March or April to help alleviate soil compaction and increase root depth, but only if the ground is soft and a good plug can be pulled from the ground. Fall aeration should be performed if the turf survived the summer it should not be performed if the turf did not survive the summer.
   
3. Have the water retention polymers called Rain Maker applied to your lawn.
   
   1. These potassium polymers retain moisture when it is in excess then release it back to your lawn when needed. Rain Maker has been proven to reduce watering needs between 25-50% depending on the soil type of the lawn.
      
   2. Rain Maker may not help maintain a green turf or keep the turf from dieing but it will help retain extra water if and when a strong rain storm occurs.
      
4. Have a soil surfactant/emulsification substance like yucca with liquid humate applied to the turf once per month in May, June, July, August, and September to help the water penetrate the soil and increase water absorption by the turf.
   
5. Spend the extra time and money to maintenance your sprinkler system (if some watering is allowed).
   
   1. Replace old, broken, or missing sprinkler heads.
      
   2. Adjust heads so that water is not hitting the street or being wasted.
      
   3. Set the timer to water early in the morning or late at night when it is cool.
      
   4. Schedule a monthly checkup, to adjust your sprinkler problems.
      
6. Water if possible.
   
   1. Most lawns can tolerate being irrigated every 3-5 days if irrigated properly.
      
   2. Irrigate as allowed by your time limit per watering but make sure that sprinkler runoff is not occurring. If water is running off your lawn change your cycle to run two-three times but at shorter time intervals. This will allow your lawn to absorb the water more effectively.
      
   3. Water your lawn on your next watering day even if your lawn is not showing signs of water stress. This is important as it is more water efficient as your lawn may show signs of stress the day after your watering day and by the time your next watering day returns the lawn is then severely stressed which requires more water.
      
   4. If it rains enough for an adequate lawn watering, make sure to turn off your sprinkler system until your next watering day. If your lawn is severely stressed prior to the rain do not skip a cycle unless the rain and your water day occur on the same day.
      
   5. Extra spot or hand watering on the trouble or hot spots of your lawn on your watering day will help your lawn maintain moisture better even in the non-hot spots. Only do this if allowed.
      
7. Set your mower at the highest setting.
   
   1. Mowing high will help your lawn conserve 25-50% more water than when mowed short
      
   2. Never remove more that 1/3 of the grass blade when mowing.
      
   3. Sharpen your blade frequently to prevent tearing the grass tips which will help the turf retain the moisture better.
      
   4. Mulch your grass clippings because they are comprised of 90% water and will aid in water reduction.
      
   5. Continue mowing until grass growth stops, mow in the morning or late evening when it is cooler. Do not mow the lawn if the lawn is dormant.
      
8. Reduce foot traffic on your lawn.
   
9. Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and buffalograss, lawns can survive complete dormancy even for several months; their recovery will range from spotty to complete recovery. The majority of lawns in the front range are Kentucky bluegrass blends with small amounts of other grasses mixed in.
   

IV. How to care for a dormant lawn after the watering ban has lifted.

1. Bluegrass and fescue will green up quickly when watering and cool temperatures resume, however, it may take some time or top-seeding to resume to their original strength.
   
2. Irrigate every 2-3 days with 1/2 of an inch of water, until the turf has turned green again. Avoid deep watering as the turf may need to reestablish its root system again.
   
3. After the lawn has turned green again core aeration is recommended only if daytime temperatures are below 80ºF.
   
4. Fertilize the lawn after the green-up with a 50-100% slow release nitrogen source like organic or organic based fertilizers provide.
   

Tree Care

V. No Watering Restrictions and Mandatory or Voluntary Watering Restrictions
Most established trees and shrubs will survive very well with water restrictions. New plantings will require more water but may reduce the water required for turf care.

1. Deep Root Tree Fertilizing
   a. Inject a mix of yucca surfactants, beneficial mycorrhiza, liquid humate, and liquid organic fertilizer in the spring prior to June 15th, and/or again in late Fall. This type of slow release low nitrogen fertilization program will reduce drought stress and increase pathogen resistance.
   
2. Mulching
   
   1. At least 2 inches of mulch should be place under the tree to the trees drip line.
      
3. Insect and Disease Control
   
   1. This should only be performed if necessary, meaning there is a pathogen present or there has been previous damage in years past.
      
4. Pruning
   
   1. Prune all broken and defective branches, and deadwood.
      
5. Tree Watering – If hand watering is not possible Organo-Lawn offers a watering program with weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly service where water is injected into the ground at the drip line and it includes yucca extract for better absorption. Call 303-499-2000 for more details.
   
   1. Evergreens prefer to be watered less than the lawn. Evergreens in bed areas need to be watered once a week with 10-15 gallons of water. Mature Pinyon pines do not require watering.
      
   2. Deciduous (Leafy) Trees and Shrubs
      

i. Older trees and Dry-Land trees like shrubs, honeylocust, olive, hackberry, barberry, and sumac prefer to be watered 10-15 gallons of water per week.

ii. Upland trees such as elm, ash, lilac, linden, and maple prefer 20-25 gal of water per week.

VI. Severe Watering Restrictions or Water Bans.
Trees and shrubs may be severely damaged without water even to the point of needing to be removed.

1. Deep Root Tree Fertilizing
   
   1. Fertilization may be warranted but with only very low nitrogen sources and must include yucca, liquid humate and mycorrhiza. Fertilization should only occur when soil temperatures are between 40-55ºF. Fertilization when soil temperatures are warmer may cause the tree to produce unwanted growth and reduce the trees resistance to drought.
      
2. Mulching
   
   1. Mulching is a must and should not be avoided as it is the single best factor in reducing water evaporation. At least 2-3 inches of mulch should be applied under the tree to the trees drip line.
      
3. Insect and Disease Control
   
   1. Intensive management may be necessary. Drought-stressed plants are vulnerable to serious and often fatal insect attacks. Foliage-feeding insects like aphids and mites should be controlled until the leaves drop. Injection control methods may be more difficult as there is little water to move the product through eh infected plant.
      
4. Pruning
   
   1. Prune all broken and defective branches, and deadwood. Avoid shearing and pruning for appearance purposes. Do not prune any live growth.
      
5. Tree Watering – if hand watering is not possible Organo-Lawn offers a watering program with weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly service where water is injected into the ground at the drip line and it includes yucca extract for better absorption. Call 303-499-2000 for more details.
   
   1. Evergreens prefer to be watered less than the lawn. Evergreens in bed areas need to be watered once a week with 5-15 gallons of water. Mature Pinyon pines do not require watering.
      
   2. Deciduous (Leafy) trees, shrubs, older trees, and dry-land trees like shrubs, honeylocust, olive, hackberry, barberry, and sumac prefer to be watered 10-15 gallons of water per week.
      
   3. Upland trees such as elm, ash, lilac, linden, and maple prefer 15-20 gal of water per week.