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Lawn Watering and Water Conservation Tips

By
Real Estate Agent with Pam Winterbauer Real Estate

Summer is here and we all want a green lawn but at what expense.  Here are some little tips I found while figuring out what I was going to do this summer expecially since the HOA nazi's are out and about checking on the front yards.

1. Don't drown ~ Instead of watering for one long session, water a few times for shorter periods and take 15-minute breaks in between each session. This will allow water to soak in, while minimizing runoff.

2. Watch the clock ~ Water between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.-when the sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Mid-day watering tends to be less efficient because of water loss due to evaporation and windy conditions during the day. Watering in the evening isn't a good idea either because leaves can remain wet overnight-an open invitation for fungus to grow.

3. Divide by zones ~ Divide your yard and landscape areas into separate irrigation zones so that grass can be watered separately and more frequently than groundcovers, shrubs and trees..

4. Consider dripping ~ When it comes to watering individual trees, flowerbeds, potted containers, or other nongrassy areas, consider applying water directly to the roots using low volume drip irrigation. This will reduce water waste through evaporation or runoff, and will prevent unwanted weeds from growing.

5. Do routine inspections ~  Periodically check your sprinklers to make sure everything is working properly. A clogged head or a torn line can wreak havoc on your landscape and water bill.

6. Be rain smart ~ Adjust your irrigation system as the seasons and weather change. Or better yet, install a shut-off device that automatically detects rain or moisture. These devices are inexpensive and enable you to take advantage of the water without having to pay for it.

Considering moving to the East Bay?  Do you want to Buy or Sell a home?

Do you have clients with needs in the East Bay?

 Contact Pam Winterbauer, 2006 REALTOR® of the Year

 Broker Associate, ASR, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, PMN, SRES, At Home with Diversity Certified

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Please contact Pam Winterbauer for  all of your real estate needs in the East Bay

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Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

We recently discovered a slow leak that we fixed in out system. My bill went down 22.00 the first month. How long was that going on?

Jun 23, 2008 11:31 PM
Pam Winterbauer
Pam Winterbauer Real Estate - San Ramon, CA
"Providing Blue Ribbon Service"

Laura.....those little leaks can be costly.  We had one about a year ago where the bathroom floor became toasty in the winter.  It turned out to be a brokern hot water pipe.....talk about cost.

Jun 24, 2008 02:57 AM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Pam, great pointers that we all can use to help conserve water and be a little bit more friendly to Mother Earth.

Jun 26, 2008 04:58 PM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Pam- I like the zone idea....my question is after last winter where we had more rain thank we'd had in years do we get this drastic water shortage message?

Jun 26, 2008 05:08 PM
Robert Machado
HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA
CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

We sure need to keep in mind water conservation when keeping our lawns green.  Knowing how to work your timer and checking it once a week is good too.

Jun 26, 2008 05:32 PM