From the Cobb County Water Systems Water Saver Newsletter - - TopicsExpress



          

From the Cobb County Water Systems Water Saver Newsletter - @wtrkat....great information #IrrigationAtlanta #Water Most of us think of spring as the time to plant, but planting in the fall allows our plants to develop a deep, strong root system throughout the fall and winter. When the hotter, drier spring and summer months come along, the plants will have a strong base and require less inputs to thrive in your landscape. The fall is a great time to start reducing turf to smaller, more practical areas in your yard. Increase shrub and color beds or add areas of low ground cover. This is particularly beneficial in areas of high shade or steep slope. Additionally, the fall is cooler and typically wetter in this region so plants installed in the fall require less water for establishment, saving both valuable water resources and money. Following a few easy tips will make your fall planting a successful investment in your yard. First check your irrigation timer; fall plants won’t require watering as frequently so adjust your timer to shorter cycles and fewer days. Also, this is a great time to see if you have a rain sensor shutoff installed. If you do, check to make sure it is working and unobstructed. If you don’t have one already, it is an affordable system upgrade that can avoid overwatering. Irrigation is needed only to supplement natural rainfall. With our clay/loam soils, fall is an ideal time for aerating fescue and overseeding if needed. Aeration allows the water applied to the landscape, either through rainfall or irrigation, to reach the root zone of your turf and prevents excessive water runoff by increasing absorption. For warm season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia aeration is most effective in the spring or summer, after the initial greening. Aerating warm season grass in fall can increase weed competition. Warm season grasses are going dormant in the fall and don’t need to be tended. Focus your watering on fall plantings. Mulching plants after they are installed helps the plants hold moisture and protects the plant in cold winter weather. After fall watering, it is important to have your system winterized by a certified irrigation professional or by opening all the valves and draining the system yourself. Most irrigation systems are comprised of PVC pipe and if water is left in the system when the temperatures drop.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 03:11:38 +0000

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