Throughout the United States, watering restrictions have become a way of life for many green industry professionals. In these dry times, how do your water management skills add up?
One way to find out is to take the simple test that follows. It takes a yard – 36 inches – to qualify as a WaterWise landscape professional. By designing, installing and managing irrigation systems and landscapes in a water-efficient manner, you’ll pass on water savings and high quality landscapes to your customers.
Irrigation Practices
Landscape irrigation represents 60 percent of all water use during the summer months. We waste approximately 30 percent of the water because of inefficient irrigation systems and incorrect watering schedules. Software-based irrigation audit programs developed by The Irrigation Association (IA) enable landscape professionals to tailor watering schedules and designs for each property.
- 5 inches: All controllers are connected to rain, freeze and/or wind sensors
- 2 inches: Rain gauge used to track rainfall in order to adjust irrigation
- 2 inches: Turfgrass is zoned separately from shrubs and flower beds
- 4 inches: Drip irrigation is used for shrub and flower beds
- 4 inches: Irrigation schedule is adjusted according to season and rainfall
- 2 inches: Controller programmed with multiple cycles to reduce runoff
- 4 inches: Ongoing inspection program for all sprinkler systems
- 5 inches: Watering schedule developed from irrigation audit software program
- 15 inches: No supplemental irrigation in 25 percent or more of the landscape
- 5 inches: Sprinkler systems have a minimum distribution uniformity of 70 percent
- 3 inches: Asbuilt irrigation plans provided to every client
- 5 inches: Irrigation design prepared using Hyperspace (CIT software)
- 2 inches: Closer head spacing in wind-prone areas
Soil Improvement
Think of soil as the water reservoir of the landscape. As organic matter and soil depth increases, water-holding capacity increases. Soil is the foundation of a WaterWise landscape. Core aerification increases soil oxygen content and is a solution for compaction problems.
- 4 inches: Soil depth for turfgrass area is at least six inches
- 4 inches: Soil addition is a blend of 75 percent topsoil and 25 percent compost
- 1 inch: Soil-deficient landscapes are topdressed with compost each year
- 2 inches: Structural soil used for tree median plantings
- 2 inches: Turfgrass is core aerated at least one time per year
Right Plant – Right Place
Native and adapted plants require less water, fertilizer and pest control products once established. Match the light, water and soil requirements of plants to the landscapes you manage.
- 3 inches: Native and adapted plants used in the landscape
- 3 inches: Drought tolerant turfgrass used in the landscape (e.g. zoysia and buffalo)
- 2 inches: Plants grouped according to water and maintenance requirements
- 2 inches: Native plants were preserved and protected during construction process
- 5 inches: Warm season turfgrass is NOT overseeded with ryegrass during the fall
Mowing Practices
Frequent mowing with a sharp-bladed mower helps build a tight, dense and weed-free turf. Never remove more than a third of the leaf blade at any one time.
- 2 inches: Mowing height raised slightly as summer heat increases
- 2 inches: Grass clippings left on the lawn to recycle nitrogen
- 1 inch: Mow twice a week to increase turf density and choke out weeds
- 1 inches: Mower blades are kept sharp to avoid tearing turfgrass blades
Mulching Practices
Mulch slows the evaporation of soil moisture, keeps the soil cooler, controls weed growth and provides a decorative element to the landscape.
- 2 inches: Plant beds maintained with 2 to 3 inches of mulch during summer
- 2 inches: Compost pile for collected clippings and leaves
- 1 inch: Mulch is stirred at least once per year to decrease matting effect
- 2 inches: Half-inch of compost added each year to thin turf areas
Fertilizer Practices
Quick-release nitrogen fertilizers promote a huge flush of growth, increasing mowing and water requirements. Slow release fertilizers and fertigation systems “spoon feed” nutrients in small doses. Fertigation is believed to reduce water use by 30 to 50 percent.
- 1 inch: Soil is tested every few years to determine pH and fertilizer requirements
- 2 inches: Slow-release fertilizers are used for lawn fertilization
- 1 inch: Fertilizer is never applied before a thunderstorm
- 1 inch: Lawn fertilized no more than three times per season
- 1 inch: Fertilizer that falls on sidewalk or street is swept up
- 4 inches: Fertilizer is injected through the irrigation system (fertigation)
Watershed Protection
Non-point-source pollution is washed off the land into our lakes and rivers. It is pollution that can’t be traced to any one single source, but is a combination of soil, fertilizer, pest control products and all other residues of human activity.
- 1 inch: Downspouts/gutter drain onto the turfgrass or plant beds
- 1 inch: Oil spills and leaks in equipment area are cleaned up with cat litter
- 1 inch: Swales, berms or terraces used to catch and filter stormwater
- 1 inch : Low toxicity pesticides, organic alternatives are used whenever possible
Training, Certification, Contracts and Professional Affiliations
Ongoing training programs will improve the knowledge, work performance and self-esteem of your employees. Involvement in local and national trade associations increases professionalism. And what better way to put your water management professionalism to the test than with performance-based customer contracts?
- 2 inches: Company offers water management training program
- 2 inches: Safety and pesticide training for crew
- 2 inches: Employees attend Irrigation Association educational classes
- 2 inches: IA Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) on staff
- 2 inches: IA Certified Irrigation Contractor on staff (CIC)
- 2 inches: IA Certified Landscape Irrigation Manager on staff(CLIM)
- 2 inches: IA Certified Irrigation Designer (CID)
- 1 inch: Member of at least one state and one national trade organization
- 5 inches: Water savings incentives program in customer contracts
____________ TOTAL INCHES
How did you score?
Zero – 12 inches: Dry times are ahead!
13-24 inches: Some water management awareness. You need improvement.
25 –35 inches: Average water management skills. Time to kick things up a notch.
36 inches +: You’re a WaterWise landscape professional! Keep up the good work!
The author is a Landscape Water Conservation Specialist for the Lower Colorado River Authority, Austin, Texas.