Fall in the Truckee Meadows is the time to cut back on watering your lawn, according to landscape experts. As the temperatures drop, especially at night, outdoor plants require approximately half the amount of water used in July and August.
“As we start moving into September and the temperatures begin to cool, your landscape will require less water, “ said Heidi Kratsch, northern area horticulture specialist for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. “The start of fall is a great time to decrease your lawn irrigation frequency,” she added.
In October, Kratsch suggests setting your irrigation clock to water two days per week instead of three days per week making sure the water penetrates six inches into the soil, which will encourage deeper rooting. By November, sprinkler systems should be turned off completely, letting turf go dormant for the winter. Homeowners should track evergreen shrubs and trees throughout the dormant season, as they may need to be deep-watered by hand at least once a month, if the fall and winter months are dry.
“All residents play an important role in maintaining a healthy water supply in the Truckee Meadows,” said Andy Gebhardt, customer services manager for Truckee Meadows Water Authority. “So please remember that we are using our drought reserves. Any water you save now can be held in upstream reservoirs for next year.”
Reducing outdoor watering in the fall can also mean a lower water bill. “The average customer uses four times more water in summer months than in the winter, so reducing your water use now can also save money,” Gebhardt said.
Visit the Water Works! blog at https://tmwawaterworks.wordpress.com/ for more of Kratsch’s fall lawn care tips including how to fertilize at this time of the year. TMWA offers “Winterize Your Irrigation System” workshops on Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 10 and Nov. 17. All workshops are free and start at 5:30. For more information, including how to sign up, visit tmwa.com/news/events-calendar.
