gazette.com [life] - May 18, 2001 Turf'sup By Dru Wilson/The Gazette If you live in the Colorado Springs area, chances are you have a bluegrass lawn. It makes up about 90 percent of the lawns in this region because it's a good cool-weather grass. Problem is, our average annual precipitation of 16 inches is not enough to slake the thirst of bluegrass, which needs 24 to 26 inches of supplemental irrigation a year. In an area where water is a precious commodity, perhaps there are better ways to landscape a yard. Xeriscape plants, for instance, use less water and create a natural-looking landscape. But let's face it: Kids aren't going to play tag on a field of yucca or picnic atop a clump of blue oat grass. Americans love their lawns and the cool, soft feeling of freshly mown grass on their bare feet. So how can we have our lawns without draining a reservoir? By watering wisely - when it's needed, and only with as much water as needed. Here are some tips from the Colorado Springs Utilities Water Conservation Program: Most water is lost to runoff or evaporation. To reduce evaporation, use sprinklers that produce large drops, rather than a fine mist, and spray close to the ground, rather than high in the air. Mow a little higher. Raise the height of the mower to 21/2-3 inches. Longer leaf surfaces promote deeper rooting and shade the root zone. Keep the mower blades sharp; dull blades tear grass and cause brown tips. Water in late evening or early morning for greater water penetration, less evaporation and more efficient use of irrigation water. The wind and heat are less intense at these times. Don't water if it is really windy. Water only when your lawn needs it. If your rain gauge indicates the yard has received 1/2 inch of rain, you don't need to water for two or three days unless you have very sandy soil. If you don't have a gauge, check the daily lawn watering guide on The Gazette's weather page. (For information on using the guide, see story on Life 3.) Adjust sprinkler system heads so they water the plants, not the sidewalk. Don't leave the timer on autopilot, so sprinklers won't come on during a rainstorm. Match fertilizer to plant requirements. Fertilizer applications require additional water. Accept less than a lush lawn. Grass will normally go dormant during periods of drought but will readily regenerate when water becomes available. A lawn is drought-stressed if a footprint takes more than an hour to disappear or if the grass is browning. Reduce traffic on stressed turf. Grow less grass. Consider converting unused portions of your lawn to xeriscape shrub and flower borders or turning them into patios, walkways or mulched play areas. Mulch flower beds and around the base of trees with wood chips or bark; that helps retain moisture, keeps roots cool and weeds at bay. Shady lawns and areas protected from wind require less water during the growing season than more exposed turf. However, the roots of mature trees and shrubs need water and will compete for moisture. These areas may need a bit more water for that reason. Water is often wasted by applying it too fast to clay, which creates runoff, or too long on sand, which doesn't hold water and allows it to soak in too deep beyond the reach of roots. If water is running off, apply a little at a time, moving sprinklers around the yard and covering one spot two times for short periods. Sand can be improved by adding organic matter, which will help hold water. Aeration also helps water penetrate the ground. Aside from watering lawns efficiently, there are other ways to reduce water consumption this summer. If you are putting in a new landscape, consider creating zones or microclimates by grouping plants that have similar water needs. This way, you can avoid overwatering some plants and underwatering others. Also think about using those xeriscape plants. According to the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, a high-quality bluegrass or ryegrass may need up to 21/4 inches of water per week under hot, dry, windy summer conditions. On the other hand, buffalo grass and blue grama lawns can remain green for weeks without watering, even during the hottest summer weather. WATERING RESTRICTIONS? Colorado Springs residents haven't faced water restrictions since the 1970s. But because of the population boom in the last dozen years, a hot and dry summer could push demand beyond the city's ability to promptly treat and deliver water. "Then we might have to look at some kind of restrictions," says Ann Seymour, water conservation manager for the Colorado Springs Utilities Department. Water use surges from about 55 million gallons a day in winter to an average 120 million during the summer months, she says. In dry spells, it can go as high as 176 million gallons. Studies show that 54 percent of water is used on landscaping. Toilet flushing is second (13 percent), and the rest goes to everything from laundry and showers to leaks and dishwashers, Seymour said. More information With planning,you can have a green lawn and conserve precious water For help Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 305 S. Union Blvd., offers free lawn-watering information sheets and a hotline to answer questions, 636-8921 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The Colorado Springs Utilities Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, 2855 Mesa Road. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Free handouts are available. Call 668-4555 or www.csu.org/xeri. Check the phone book under lawn care and maintenance for professional assistance. Garden centers can also advise on selection of sprinklers and fertilizers. Good books on growing grass: "Colorado Gardener's Guide," by John L. Cretti (Cool Springs Press, $19.95). "Lawns," by the editors of Rodale Organic Gardening Magazine (Rodale Press, $14.95). Copyright 1999-2001, The Gazette, a Freedom Communications, Inc. Company. All rights reserved. Contact us.