- Written by élite Magazine
The drought seems to be here to stay. Over the summer, your landscape may see some stress, but we have some tips to help you deal with the stress.
First, let’s start with your watering habits. Here in the Santa Clarita Valley, we are on a mandatory watering schedule (check scvh2o.org for your schedule). And then follow these tips:
• Water deeply, water infrequently to strengthen and deepen roots
• Hand water to fix dry spots (rather than increasing sprinkler time)
• Water in the early morning (between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.) when you will lose less water to evaporation and the winds are at their calmest
Now, let’s look at your landscaping. Mulch is the difference between a good looking landscape and a great looking landscape, but there are some practical benefits. Use organic mulch (“wood chips”) two to four inches deep results in:
• Less evaporation
• Addition of nutrients into the soil
• Cooler soil
• Reduction in weeds
Be sure to keep the mulch six inches away from the base of the plants.
Then, let your grass go a bit longer between mowing, and follow these tips:
• Leave clippings on the lawn
• Sharpen the mower blade
• Do not water after mowing
• Hand water to fix dry spots (don’t increase sprinkler time)
• Grass height should change with the seasons
– Spring and summer (the higher the better)
at 3.5 to five inches
– Fall and winter at 2.5 inches
• Use very light applications of fertilizer during the summer months
We would be remiss if we did not mention taking out some of that turf grass. Many people find that they have more grass than they can use. Consider removing grass that is difficult to mow or water. And anything that is a strange size and useable should be considered as well.
Learn more about our program for turf grass removal at www.lawnreplacement.clwa.org.
Residential Lawn Replacement Program
The primary goal of Castaic Lake Water Agency’s Lawn Replacement Program is to reduce outdoor water use by removing living water-thirsty lawns and encourage new water-efficient landscape options to maintain an aesthetically pleasing sustainable property.
Large Landscape Rebates
The Castaic Lake Water Agency is funding Large Landscape rebate programs for customers in the Santa Clarita Valley that give homeowners associations, landscape maintenance districts, parks, businesses, schools and non-profits the opportunity to receive rebates turf removal.