1. Aeration: A regular aeration schedule is important to the health of your lawn. Try to aerate 2-3 times a year, especially in the spring and fall. Clay soil has a tendency to become compacted, which prevents water from sinking into the ground. Aeration breaks up the soil and allows water to penetrate. Don’t forget to add some compost when you aerate. In particularly dry areas, you can use a screwdriver to poke holes into the soil to help the water get into the ground.

2. Mowing Height: Set the blade height on your mower so that you keep the grass at a height of 3 inches. This shades the soil and prevents both excess drying and evaporation.

3. Watch the Sprinkler Clock: Millions of gallons are wasted every year by sprinkler systems running in the rain and clocks still programmed for mid-summer schedules in the spring or fall. To prevent this from happening follow these guidelines:

• Water less frequently before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.
• Water less often in spring and fall – change the setting on the clock or leave the system on manual but continue to repeat cycles for deep root watering and clay soil.
• Turn the system off or flip the rain switch when it rains.
• Consider installing a rain sensor or arrange to have a neighbor turn off the clock if it rains when you are away from home.

4. Don’t Water on Automatic-Respond to Your Lawn’s Need, Not Your Habit! Your lawn will adapt easily to an every-three-day watering pattern; in fact, you can even water less frequently. If nature helps out, so much the better! Check to see if rainfall is meeting your lawn’s needs. Here’s a tip: Let nature sprinkle your lawn as late into the spring as possible before you begin to irrigate, and you’ll be helping your lawn develop healthy roots. To determine if your lawn is getting enough water, try this simple test. Stick a screwdriver in the ground. If it goes in too easily, cut back on your watering. If it’s a struggle to get it in, increase your watering.

5. Don’t Water Everything the Same. Water the lawn separately from plant beds and trees because these areas need less water than the lawn.

6. Water By the Light of the Moon. Watering between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. can reduce evaporation loss by 15 to 20 percent. Because our climate is typically dry, this practice won’t create mildew or fungus on your lawn unless you water too much. Always avoid watering during the heat of the day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

7. Do Get Into the Maintenance Habit! Check your irrigation system on a regular basis to ensure top performance. Routinely check the coverage of sprinkler heads and adjust them if they’re creating runoff on walks and driveways. Before the first freeze, be sure to drain and clear the system of water to avoid leaks and breaks. Be sure the batteries (if any) are fresh and the clock will keep on time.

8. Don’t Get Into a Fog. If your system’s spray pattern is creating a fine mist or fog, reduce the operating pressure or adjust the nozzles to eliminate the mist. When you do, you’ll reduce water loss that’s due to evaporation and wind drifting by 20% to 25%.

Adjust your irrigation system as the seasons and weather change. Or better yet, install a shut-off device that automatically detects rain or moisture. These devices are inexpensive and enable you to take advantage of the water without having paying for it.

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