Less can be more when it comes to watering the lawn

Jessica,15, Dallas, 10, and Nicholas McMurtrey, 5, cool off Tuesday in the spray from a fire hydrant near the east water tower. While McCook residents are on water restrictions, the city is being forced to waste thousands of gallons of water to prepare for repainting the tower. The city is asking for no outside watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and for people with odd-numbered addresses to water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, even numbers on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with no watering on Monday. (Bruce Crosby/McCook Daily Gazette)

LINCOLN -- With McCook residents facing water restriction during the hottest days of the year, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln turf expert says it's not only possible to conserve water and maintain a healthy lawn, it's actually good for the grass.

Water conservation always should be a priority, but continued drought in parts of the state makes it especially important, said Roch Gaussoin, UNL turfgrass specialist. Most conservation methods he recommends require little aesthetic sacrifice.

"Many homeowners are notorious for applying too much water to their lawns," he said. "Water restrictions can actually result in better lawns because homeowners are not over-watering."

Several Nebraska communities have instituted mandatory or voluntary water restrictions. Gaussoin said people should follow any restrictions that are imposed. Watering on alternate days can reduce water use by 40 percent to 50 percent.

"Turf doesn't need to be watered every day," he said.

When watering, it's important to water uniformly. Watering from 4 a.m.-9 a.m. is ideal, Gaussoin said. Watering during the day wastes water because much of it evaporates in the heat.

"During summer months, about a half-inch every two to three days for a total of 1.5 inches per week will do. If it rains, subtract the amount from weekly waterings," he said. "Do not put on more water than the soil can take. Runoff, especially during drought, is unacceptable."

Mowing properly also helps conserve water and keeps turf healthy. A good rule of thumb for mowing is "never remove more than one-third of the grass at one time," he said. Gaussoin recommends raising the height of the mower at least one setting higher than the one you used this spring. Mowing higher helps grass to develop deeper roots and shades the turf.

Other tips to conserve water include:

* Try mulching, even if you don't have a mulching mower. Lawns tend to lose more water and nutrients through evaporation when clippings are removed, he said.

* Be sure to maintain lawn care equipment. Sharpen mower blades at least twice during the summer. Dull blades tear grass, forcing it to use 40 percent to 60 percent more water.

* Be sure to check in-ground sprinkler systems for leaky valves and heads that may be wasting water.

* During the hot days of summer, homeowners should not fertilize.

Fall fertilization is most effective.