The average depth of water in these containers multiplied by two is the inches of water per hour emitted by the sprinkler system. How-to Winter Water. The addition of a pressure regulator at the valve is required if misting of water occurs. Revised by K. Jones**. These recommendations are starting points; adjust up or down as needed. Colorado Springs Utility customers can choose which days they want to water each week. Southern and western exposures usually need the deepest watering… The proposed changes align us with other Front Range cities and are considered foundational water practices in Colorado. 2. Watering Your Colorado Lawn. And even though warm season grasses (blue grama and buffalograss) are known for their drought tolerance, they too thrive with occasional watering. In Colorado, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass lawns must receive supplemental irrigation to survive. Do not irrigate again until you see signs of wilt. Further information on these units and other smart controllers is available from your irrigation supply house or on the Internet. Colorado Springs Utilities (NO RESTRICTIONS 2016!!!) New water restrictions in Colorado Springs in 2020 limits watering yards to 3 days a week, Teen killed and authorities believe they found a homemade explosive in a small Colorado town, Paralegal pleaded guilty to attempted official misconduct for leaking arrest papers in Letecia Stauch murder case, Colorado lawmakers respond to COVID-relief deal, Colorado ‘Season B’ sports with CHSAA, including high school basketball, approved to start in January, Midwestern universities form alliance to lure Space Command to Nebraska, Man severely burned after fire starts near vacant building. by M. Gross and C.E. Currently, around 30% of the community’s treated water … This is best determined by the appearance of water running off the area being irrigated. The Integrated Water Resource Plan, approved by the Utilities Board in 2017, includes water efficiency as a source of future supply and the proposed ordinance changes are expected to meet 10 percent of the efficiency goal. In Colorado, this period typically runs from November through April. Footprints or lawn mower tracks that remain at least one half hour after traffic has passed indicates irrigation is needed. Starting this week, residents and business owners in Colorado Springs can only water their lawns three times per week. Webmaster | Most lawn watering problems that we see in Boulder and Fort Collins area lawns are either over watering or poor sprinkler coverage. Kentucky bluegrass lawns may require 2.5 inches of water or more per week during the heat of summer. Lawn Watering Tips With sprinklers, water in the early morning—about one to three hours before sunrise. This means as of Monday morning, watering your lawn and outdoor plants is now limited to three hours … For example, a lawn cut at 3 inches holds water longer than a lawn cut at 2 inches; or lower areas of a lawn hold water longer than higher areas. As long as the sprinkler system’s heads are adjusted properly, all the lawn watering problems can be fixed by following the lawn watering technique invented by Organo-Lawn called 1-2-3-2-1 Lawn Watering. ©2020, Colorado State University Extension, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 USA. Winter watering may not be necessary for established lawns. Colorado Springs Utilities – Stage IIb Restrictions Effective April 1- Outdoor landscape watering limited to 2 days a week on designated days. When to Water . Water applied between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. dilutes these materials thus reducing the growth of turf disease organisms. Most irrigation clocks permit this type of cycling feature. Clay soils (which include most Colorado soils) have a much lower penetration rate than sandy soils; therefore, clay needs to be watered at a slower rate in order to avoid runoff and puddling. We receive on average approximately 17” inches of precipitation per year, a far cry from the 40” to 50” … … It is most critical to water in March and … Colorado Springs, for example, has seen 2 periods (2002-2004 and again in 2013) in the last 50 years when outdoor watering has been restricted to some extent. Watering too frequently causes root death of trees and shrubs in or near the turf area either from root rot disease or lack of oxygen in the soil. On very hot days turf may appear stressed even if the soil is wet. Water only when air and soil … The best time of day to irrigate is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Lawns grown on sandy soil require more frequent irrigation applications (with less water per application) than lawns. In Colorado, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass lawns must receive supplemental irrigation to survive. CSU Extension - A division of the Office of Engagement. Colorado Springs Utilities will be working on educating the public about the new ordinance through 2020. CSU A-Z Search Experience will eventually turn this seemingly tedious process into one that is quick and second nature. The rule of thumb for watering an established lawn is, “water as deeply and as infrequently as possible.” Deep and infrequent irrigation stimulates root growth, resulting in healthy, drought tolerant, and pest resistant turf. Are there watering restrictions in Colorado Springs, CO? Posted on: March 19th, 2015. If you water daily or every other day, just because water is available, it is a waste of water and can be detrimental to the lawn. Provide Your Lawn with Right Amount of Water. The condition of the grass and soil – not the number of days since watering – is the best guide to irrigation. Alternatively, use the “on-demand” method to water only when the … Watering in the morning (before 10 a.m.) is the best time for your lawn; it’s cooler and winds tend to be calmer so water can soak into the soil and be absorbed by the grass roots before it can evaporate. Rain sensors are useful for residents who are unable to adjust automatic systems when rainfall occurs. The ordinance went into effect Jan. 1, 2020. Schedule pop-ups for 20 minutes, rotors 45 minutes, multi-stream nozzles 60 minutes each watering day. Watering before 10 p.m. or after 6 a.m. extends the natural wetness period and increases disease problems. We have 3 regions; Peaks and Plains, Front Range and Western. A properly designed and installed automatic sprinkler system should be programmed to accommodate these specific lawn needs. COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado Springs Utilities will soon be implementing water wise rules for landscapes that need watered. Determine how long this takes by setting several shallow containers (such as baking pans) in different areas of the lawn for thirty minutes while irrigating. The new … Soil preparation is critical to the rooting depth and drought tolerance of turf. This technique is called syringing and is not the same as watering. Revised 11/14. Wherever you live, Extension’s job is to determine what issues, concerns and needs are unique to each community, and offer sound and effective solutions. Historically, these restrictions were implemented during drought conditions, but now are the norm. Our good name, hard work, & professional guarantee has kept us going … These include the Smart Line Weathermatic controller, the Hunter ET System and the ET Manager system. During these months, you should … Providing trusted, practical education to help you solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. Doing this can predispose the turf to disease. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Back in mid-December, the Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-2 to restrict watering lawns and gardens to only three times a week. Lawns also have different soil types which permit water infiltration at different rates. A healthy, deep root system produces vigorous turf that is tolerant of drought and resistant to disease and insect pests. Please use our website feedback form. Strict water restrictions are now in effect. Choose a warm winter day with air temperature above 40 degrees F and unfrozen soil. This cycle may be as short as 5 minutes. When designing an irrigation system and developing an irrigation schedule consider the presence of trees and shrubs in the lawn because they have roots in the turf area that compete for water and nutrients. **K. Jones, Colorado State University Extension natural resources agent, Chaffee County.7/02. Change your schedule 2-3 times per year so that you’re watering 1-2 times per week in cool seasons and 2-3 times per week in hot weather. Swift, former Extension horticulture agent, Tri River area, Grand Junction. For more information see Colorado State University Extension fact sheet 2.926, Healthy Roots and Healthy Trees. Employment | Apply to CSU | Intermountain Every year we service over 1,500 Clients for Lawn Aeration, Summer Mowing, & Raking in the Colorado Springs Area. 4. From a disease prevention perspective, irrigating anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. is fine (as long as the turf dries before the evening dew period sets in); however water loss from sun and wind will be greatest at this time. December Tips Find a tree and lawn care specialist you can trust! These tips and tricks should help you understand exactly how and when to water your Colorado lawn to have the greenest, most beautiful lawn … A healthy, high-quality bluegrass or ryegrass lawn may need up to 2.25 inches of water per week under hot, dry, windy … If you don’t get any snow coverage, be sure to water your lawn every 4-5 weeks to ensure your lawn is getting enough moisture. Maximum rooting depth occurs when soil conditions allow the roots of a particular species (or variety) to reach their full potential. There will be exceptions for recently planted vegetation and turf grass on sports fields. The watering rules incorporate best practices for efficient outdoor water use that will help keep your landscape healthy. Swift* (11/14) Disclaimer | Under a new watering schedule launched in spring 2020, customers within the city limits can outdoor water three days per week. Starting this week, residents and business owners in Colorado Springs can only water their lawns three times per week. Learn more about us or about our partners. This is not achieved by proper irrigation alone; a combination of proper irrigation, proper fertility (see fact sheet 7.202, Lawn Care), and regular core aerification (once in spring and/or once in fall) maximizes rooting depth and overall turf vigor. That way more water gets to the roots instead of evaporating due to the sun and wind. Soil preparation is critical to the rooting depth and drought tolerance of turf. Set the regulator at the pressure appropriate for the particular nozzle in that zone. When to water. “Lawn watering is often stopped in early fall. From May 1 to Oct. 15, landscape watering must take place before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Great News for Gardeners! The ordinance went into effect Jan. 1, 2020. Alternative Turf … *M. Gross, former Colorado State University Extension horticulture and natural resources agent, Eagle County; and C.E. These materials increase the growth of disease organisms. Privacy Statement | Water pressure may also be higher at this time providing a more even spray distribution pattern. Wait for a day when the temperature is over 40 degrees, drag out hoses and water early in the day. It’s important that the soil profile dries somewhat between irrigation applications. Watering Schedule. CSU Horticulture Agents and Specialists Blog, Capric Acid: A Promising Next-Generation Herbicide for Organic Specialty Crop Production, Columnar and Fastigiate Trees for CO Landscapes, Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) on Irrigated Pasture, Pulse Crops and their Key Role as Staple Foods in Healthful Eating Patterns, Integrated Hive Management for Colorado Beekeepers, Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) and Soil Health. Colorado Lawn Care Tips. Watering in Colorado Springs can be a challenge as we live in a high plains desert. Apply 1 to 1.5 inches of water per irrigation. To avoid runoff from very heavy clay soil and/or a sloped lawn you can water for a short period, then stop and start back up again until 1 to 1.5 inches of water has accumulated. Measure, in inches, the depth of water accumulated in the containers. Security Service Field, Cinemark, complete with an IMAX, and the massive retail complex … Take care to avoid root damage when installing a sprinkler system in areas with established trees and shrubs. Equal Opportunity | Areas of Colorado which experience open, dry winters are more susceptible to winter grass mites and dessication if occasional winter irrigation is not applied. The arrival of spring means it’s time to get outside and begin preparing your landscape for the upcoming season. To determine the most appropriate irrigation schedule for an established lawn consider the following: turf species; soil type; cutting height; potential disease and pest problems; local weather patterns; and microclimates (i.e., shade vs. full sun exposure; low vs. high areas of the yard). However, lawns started within the last year are especially susceptible to winter dessication injury and need supplemental winter irrigation. Colorado Springs Utilities will for the fifth year in a row enter the 2018 season with no mandatory water restrictions. Our physical location is 1311 College Ave, Fort Collins, CO. Having website issues? Grass roots grow to their maximum depth in well-aerated soil containing four to five percent organic matter. Residential Customers: Even numbered addresses on Sundays and … Kentucky bluegrass lawns may require 2.5 inches of water or more per week during the heat of summer. Irrigate when the turf indicates water is needed. The best time to irrigate your lawn is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. During this period it is generally cooler, less windy, and the humidity is higher so evaporation losses are less. The best time of day to irrigate is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. 5. This is caused by heat stress and can be remedied by cooling off the turf by wetting it for 15 seconds or less. Colorado Lawn Winter Watering Tips: Water lawns and perennials during prolonged dry fall and winter periods to prevent root damage that affects the health of the entire plant. Last week Colorado Springs followed the lead of Denver and other Front Range cities that have instituted permanent water restrictions amid mounting concerns about future water shortages. It’s easy to tell when grass needs water; either the grass will turn a gray-green or … Depending on the climate and the weather of your region, your watering schedule might differ from someone five states away. 3. CSU says implementing the new water-wise rules is one way … Heavily compacted soil that is low in organic matter does not facilitate deep, healthy root growth. If it is not practical to water during this time period, another option is to water between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., starting the irrigation after the dew has dried but before the winds begin. Non-Discrimination Statement | It’s important to water consistently into fall to your plants … However, historic ET and rainfall data for most of Colorado … Other water providers throughout the Colorado front range have also implemented water … Dew contains substances exuded from the plant tissue. Contact your local county Extension office through our County Office List. A lawn’s tolerance to drought is directly related to how well the soil was prepared prior to applying seed or sod. While it’s true that a deep, healthy root system produces vigorous turf, rooting depth is determined primarily by genetics and soil condition – not irrigation. These units can reduce water use in the landscape by as much as 55 percent, without jeapardizing the beauty of the landscape. In Colorado, cool season turfgrass such as bluegrass, fescue, perennial ryegrass, or bentgrass need regular applications of water. After you’ve turned off your sprinkler system, continue to water your grass. If … Conventional thinking is that because ET (evapo-transpiration) rates are low and the turf isn‘t growing much, it is OK to stop watering. You don’t need to go overboard to ensure that your … Irrigating between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. also overlaps with the turf’s natural dew period. Located just east of Colorado Springs, Woodmen Hills offers the conveniences of a major city without the drawbacks. Water during cooler times of the day — lawn watering is not allowed between 10 … Water pressure varies from one location to another, thus the length of time a neighbor waters may not necessarily be appropriate for your lawn. Many factors influence lawn water requirements, and no two lawns are exactly alike. Continually water-logged soils are deprived of oxygen which is required for proper root growth. Throughout the winter, set up a schedule to water every four to six weeks unless we have an unusually wet season. … Turf will also turn a shade of blue-gray when it is water stressed and in need of irrigation. Water one to two times per month from November to April. See fact sheet 7.211, Winter Watering for more information. 1. The use of a Smart Controller that uses local weather data to determine the watering requirement of the turf and other irrigated areas will ensure proper watering. Starting May 1 customers can not water their lawns between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. through Oct. 15. Look for signs of wilt, which often show up in the same location on the lawn time after time. Most diseases of turf occur when grass blades are wet for longer than 14 consecutive hours. 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