Improve your bottom line, without sacrificing your lawn! There are a number of ways that Coon Rapids residents can cut their water use this summer, while still maintaining a desirable yard. The City is committed to saving too. Employees have made some changes to irrigation systems at parks and other City facilities to better manage water usage.
The following tips can help you conserve water and save money, while still keeping an attractive yard:
Audit
Pressurize your irrigation system and check for leaks in the main line or inside valve boxes. Go through each zone in the system and mark any problems with flags. Tackle the biggest problems first, such as broken lines or heads. Adjust heads to spray away from roads and walkways. Making these changes early in the season is vital to stopping a high-water bill!
Timing
Early morning is the best time to water your lawn to limit loss to heat and wind. Up to half the water applied during the day will evaporate! And water droplets on leaf blades can intensify the sun’s impact on turfgrass. Remember: soil type and seasonal weather patterns will impact how frequently you should water.
Technology
Smart technology is available for many things around your house, including the sprinkler system! Irrigation sensors and smart controllers make it easy to save time, money and water. There are a variety of sensors on the market that can detect rain, soil moisture or even wirelessly adjust based on current weather forecasts! A rain sensor is a simple way to prevent unnecessary watering following a rainfall event. Paired with a smart controller, you can adjust your settings from your phone, eliminating the walk to the garage or basement for startups, blowouts and timing adjustments. (See this link to purchase smart controllers at a discounted price).
Efficiency
Install check valves on heads in lower elevation areas to prevent water from leaking out when the system is off. Leaky heads are common in low points of the yard and often lead to runoff and erosion. Also, consider retrofitting your spray heads with rotating stream nozzles, which deliver water at a slower rate, saving up to 30% compared to traditional sprays.
Best Practices
Aerating your lawn is a simple way to help your yard develop deeper roots and allow for better water infiltration. Also consider planting drought-tolerant grasses. Tall fescue and fine fescue are great options for managing drought and are best established through seed. You might even consider dedicating a portion of your yard to native species, which require much less water and can be great for pollinators!
The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers information online to help homeowners manage healthy lawns and conserve water.