Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 2, 1995 TAG: 9507030123
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: C9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN ARBOGAST
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It seems wasteful to apply water that has been through public purification processes to the ground. Folks on wells or those who use other small systems have concerns about using too much of this precious resource in order to have green around the house. So, let's look at a few facts or suggestions regarding lawn watering.
The depth of the turf roots plays an important role in letting established grass plants maintain themselves without a lot of supplemental watering. This is a major reason for applying nitrogen fertilizer to bluegrasses and fescues in the fall rather than in the spring, because researchers have proven that deeper grass roots will be a result of fall fertilization.
If you plan to overseed your lawn in late summer or maybe establish new turf, be sure to select grass species that claim to be drought tolerant.
At least 4 inches of good topsoil are needed to hold water and encourage turf root development. Folks trying to maintain lawns with less are asking for trouble.
Set priorities when lawn watering is done. Newly established or sodded lawns must receive regular deep waterings for the first year if the investment of time and money already made in the grass is not to be wasted. Other lawn watering priorities must be based on the individual situation. Turf growing in the shade requires less water than turf growing in full sun.
It's usually OK to allow an established lawn to go dormant during hot, dry weather. However, do try to keep traffic from people, pets and equipment off the dormant turf.
Whether you water grass with a hose and sprinklers, a built-in irrigation system or a pump from an adjacent creek or pond, try to water in the early mornings. Wind and evaporation of water drops before they reach the soil should be less then.
Don't make a regular practice of watering close to nightfall, because the potential for disease spread is greater when the grass blades are wet during the night. Also, the presence of dry spots in an established lawn in spite of waterings or rains may signal a thatch problem that should be corrected this fall.
A final fact: If your priority for turf watering is a sloped area, remember that water will stop soaking in after a short while and begin to run down the slope. So, in order to get the deep watering suggested, water for a short time, shut it off to allow time for water percolation, then water that area again for a short while; repeat this a few times. Or, you can invest in an irrigation time clock for your hose bib.
Telephone policy changed
Virginia Cooperative Extension has experienced several rounds of budget cuts, hiring freezes, etc., as have other state agencies. Recently 58 extension agents and support staff took the early buyout offered by the governor to state employees.
All of these developments have left local extension offices with vacancies that cannot be filled for at least one year. These vacancies have created gaps in services in all program areas. Because of loss of staff in surrounding areas, the Roanoke and Roanoke County extension offices are receiving horticulture calls from many parts of Southwest and Central Virginia. Telephone bills are paid from local funds.
In order to serve our clients and stay within our budget, we no longer can return long-distance telephone calls that relate to home horticulture. Also, we may ask clients to leave their phone number or call back rather than tying up phone lines and putting callers on hold.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is working to continue quality service within the constraints of shrinking budgets and staff. Thank you for your continued support.
Send short questions about your lawn, garden, plants, or insects to Dear John, c/o the Roanoke Times, P. O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010-2491. We need your mail, but this column can't reply to all letters. Those of wide appeal will be answered each week. Personal replies cannot be given. Please don't send stamps, stamped envelopes, samples or pictures.
by CNB