Saving Water Outdoors

Irrigation Tips

When irrigation is needed, apply 0.5 inch of water per application to replenish the grass. Saturating the root zone and allowing the soil to dry will encourage a deep root system, making you lawn drought and stress tolerant.
Landscape with plants that are accustomed to Florida's climate and often require little to no water other than natural rainfall. They also rarely need fertilizers and pesticides applied.
Water lawns in the early morning when temperature and wind speed are at the lowest.
Irrigate only when you lawn needs water due to lack of rainfall. Over watering promotes fungus, disease, and weed growth. It also results in a shallow root system, making your lawn less drought and stress tolerant.
Group plants according to their water needs and irrigate areas separately that require less water.
Install a rain shutoff device to automatic sprinkler systems that will override the cycle when adequate rainfall has occurred. Florida law requires a rain shutoff device on all automatic sprinkler systems installed since 1991.
Irrigate only when your lawn shows signs of stress. Visual signs include the lawn turning a bluish-gray color, footprints lingering after walking through the grass, and leaf blades folding in half.
Use Drip/Micro-irrigation in plant beds and around trees. Micro irrigation applies water slowly and directly to the roots, saving water.
Raise the height of your mower. Cut no more than one-third of the grass length to encourage the root system to grow deeper and leaf blades to hold more moisture.

Regular Irrigation Maintenance

Perform regular maintenance to irrigation systems to ensure efficiency. Check your system for:

Spray heads missing, broken or clogged
Spray heads pushed too far in the ground
Spray heads tilted or spraying in the wrong direction (watering the street, driveway, or sidewalk)
Observable leaks or breaks in the pipes
Obstructions preventing the water from reaching the desired areas