New year-round water conservation program

The Joliet Mayor and City Council have enacted a year-round water conservation program City of Joliet water customers. Watering is permitted from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at even numbered addresses on even numbered days and at odd numbered addresses on odd numbered days. According to the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Unit, this will provide ample opportunities for residents to water their lawns. In general, about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week is needed to maintain green color and active growth. The City has also added five new wells this year to more than accommodate the anticipated water demand.

An important decision to make before summer is to either water lawns consistently as needed throughout the season, or let lawns go dormant as conditions turn warm and dry. Do not rotate back and forth. In other words, don't let the grass turn totally brown, apply enough water to green it up, and then let the grass go dormant again. Breaking dormancy actually drains large amounts of food reserves from the plant. The common question is how much water is enough to keep the turf alive? Applying 1/4 to 1/2 inch every 2 to 4 weeks should be enough to maintain moisture in the stems and roots so the turf can survive and resume growing when conditions improve.

When is it time to water? The first few warm days of summer does not automatically mean to water lawns. In fact, allowing lawns to start to go under mild drought stress actually increases rooting. Watch for footprinting, or footprints remaining on the lawn after walking across it (instead of leaf blades bouncing back up). Grasses also tend to turn darker in color as they go under drought stress.

In general, water as infrequently as possible. Water thoroughly so moisture gets down to the depth of the roots. Avoid frequent waterings, which promote shallower root systems and weeds (i.e. crabgrass). Given a choice, water early in the day when lawns are normally wet from dew. Avoid midday due to evaporation, and at night due to potential increased chances of some diseases.

Finally, there are some measures to conserve water use by lawns. Mow higher, avoid excess nitrogen as warm weather approaches, limit traffic over the lawn, improve turf rooting, control thatch and soil compaction, and avoid pesticide use on drought stressed lawns. For additional information on managing lawns under drought conditions, check out the University of Illinois Extensions Lawn Talk website at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/lawntalk/.