Avoid Overwatering Lawns and Landscapes
By Kelly Feehan, Extension Educator
May 6, 2012
Overwatering is a Common Homeowner Mistake
When it comes to landscape irrigation, much water is wasted. Some estimates are that lawns and landscapes are overwatered by 30 to 300 percent. Based on my experience over the last 30 years of visiting with homeowners and looking at lawn issues and dead or dying trees, this is a fairly accurate estimate.
Overwatering not only wastes water, a valuable but limited natural resource; it is also unhealthy for landscape plants. While lawns that turn yellow tend to recover, valuable trees, shrubs and perennials are often killed by overwatering.
In an article in the July-August, 2011 issue of Water Efficiency, the Journal of Water Resource Management, author Dan Hull shared this comment made by his neighbor: “We keep looking at the wrong end of the problem. We look at the amount of water available for use, instead of checking how much water we actually use and how much of it we waste.”
News Articles
These writings appear in weekly newspapers throughout eastern Nebraska, and in the Home & Garden section of droughtresources.unl.edu, with the goal of helping homeowners manage their landscapes during drought. Public water suppliers are welcome to use these writings in their newsletters, or other clientele information tools, or share them with their community newspaper. Please credit UNL Extension as the information source.
Fire Prevention
Dry Weather, Dry Plants Are Fire Risks, 12/17/2012
During the dormant season, with dry plants and dry plant material not being covered by snow or moistened by rain, be aware of the potential fire hazard.
During the dormant season, with dry plants and dry plant material not being covered by snow or moistened by rain, be aware of the potential fire hazard.
Fruits & Vegetables
Prepare Vegetable Gardens for Dry Summer Conditions, 4/1/2013
With the possibility of drought conditions again this summer, it's a good idea to prepare your gardens properly so that your vegetables can withstand reduced water throughout the summer.
Tree Fruit Water Needs in Drought, Washington State Extension
This publication highlights critical management concerns for fruit trees under drought conditions.
With the possibility of drought conditions again this summer, it's a good idea to prepare your gardens properly so that your vegetables can withstand reduced water throughout the summer.
Tree Fruit Water Needs in Drought, Washington State Extension
This publication highlights critical management concerns for fruit trees under drought conditions.
Municipal Water Use
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: A Look at the Municipal Side of Water Conservation, 4/1/2013
Conserving water in homes and outdoor landscapes not only helps preserve this vital natural resource, but also has benefits that go beyond what some may realize.
Conserving water in homes and outdoor landscapes not only helps preserve this vital natural resource, but also has benefits that go beyond what some may realize.
Ornamentals
Keeping Your Landscape Healthy During Drought, 7/1/2012
Knowing how and when to water, as well as setting landscape priorities can help you focus your efforts.
Mulch 101, 6/10/2013
Before mulching, think about moisture retention, weed suppression, cooling or warming the soil, and of course, its appearance.
Mulch to Conserve Soil Moisture, 12/1/2012
Mulching plants during winter can reduce injury from winter drying.
Knowing how and when to water, as well as setting landscape priorities can help you focus your efforts.
Mulch 101, 6/10/2013
Before mulching, think about moisture retention, weed suppression, cooling or warming the soil, and of course, its appearance.
Mulch to Conserve Soil Moisture, 12/1/2012
Mulching plants during winter can reduce injury from winter drying.
Rainwater Harvesting
Alternative Water for Landscape Conservation, 3/27/2013
In many cases, public water supplies treated to a minimum standard are used for lawn and landscape irrigation. Plants do not require water that has been treated to drinking water standards.
Harvest the Rain, 9/1/2012
Because water is an important resource that needs to be conserved, rainwater harvesting is a growing trend.
In many cases, public water supplies treated to a minimum standard are used for lawn and landscape irrigation. Plants do not require water that has been treated to drinking water standards.
Harvest the Rain, 9/1/2012
Because water is an important resource that needs to be conserved, rainwater harvesting is a growing trend.
Trees & Shrubs
Heat, Drought Is Hard on Trees, 8/2/2012
Pay particular attention to trees and shrubs and thoroughly water them if they begin to show signs of leaf wilt, discoloration or drying.
Mulch 101, 6/10/2013
Before mulching, think about moisture retention, weed suppression, cooling or warming the soil, and of course, its appearance.
Pruning Drought Stressed Trees, 2/4/2013
Pruning drought stressed trees could lead to increased risk of a disease or insect attack, or slow a trees recovery from drought.
Watering Tips for Trees & Shrubs: When to Water
Follow these easy tips to make the best use of water in your landscape.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: Trees and Turf Have Different Water Needs, 5/3/2013
Trees and turf often share space in home landscapes, but they have different water needs. Understanding this can help conserve water and save money.
Windbreaks and Snow Fences, 1/18/2013
The ongoing drought makes us value whatever moisture we get, even snow.
Pay particular attention to trees and shrubs and thoroughly water them if they begin to show signs of leaf wilt, discoloration or drying.
Mulch 101, 6/10/2013
Before mulching, think about moisture retention, weed suppression, cooling or warming the soil, and of course, its appearance.
Pruning Drought Stressed Trees, 2/4/2013
Pruning drought stressed trees could lead to increased risk of a disease or insect attack, or slow a trees recovery from drought.
Watering Tips for Trees & Shrubs: When to Water
Follow these easy tips to make the best use of water in your landscape.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: Trees and Turf Have Different Water Needs, 5/3/2013
Trees and turf often share space in home landscapes, but they have different water needs. Understanding this can help conserve water and save money.
Windbreaks and Snow Fences, 1/18/2013
The ongoing drought makes us value whatever moisture we get, even snow.
Turfgrass
13 Effective Strategies for Managing Lawns during Periods of Hot, Dry Weather
Turf care under the hot sun.
Areas Exceptionally Drought-Stressed or Not Re-greening with Rain/Irrigation? , 6/16/2011
If turf looks exceptionally drought stressed/dormant in unirrigated areas or if areas are not regreening with rain, there may be other issues occurring.
Avoid Overwatering Lawns and Landscapes, 5/6/2013
When it comes to landscape irrigation, much water is wasted. Some estimates are that lawns and landscapes are overwatered by 30 to 300 percent.
Early Heat Leads to Irrigation on Lawns, 6/7/2012
With soil and air temperatures a month ahead of schedule this year, turf irrigation is also ahead of schedule.
How Long Will Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue Survive When Dormant?, 7/21/1012
Either because of drought or perhaps to conserve water, cool-season grasses can be allowed to go dormant in extended droughts.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: Alternative to Bluegrass Turf, 5/29/2012
The single biggest use of water in the average western Nebraska household is irrigating the Kentucky bluegrass lawn. Homeowners in western Nebraska have two alternative.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: When to Start Watering, Fertilizing and Mowing in Western Nebraska, 4/8/2013
When spring brings warmer days, it’s tempting to watering the lawn and spread some fertilizer. But before you do that, take a moment to stop and think.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: Fertilizing and Mowing Your Lawn, 4/15/2013
Fertilizing a turf grass lawn is a lot more than just buying a bag of fertilizer and spreading it all in the spring.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: Trees and Turf Have Different Water Needs, 5/3/2013
Trees and turf often share space in home landscapes, but they have different water needs. Understanding this can help conserve water and save money.
Turf care under the hot sun.
Areas Exceptionally Drought-Stressed or Not Re-greening with Rain/Irrigation? , 6/16/2011
If turf looks exceptionally drought stressed/dormant in unirrigated areas or if areas are not regreening with rain, there may be other issues occurring.
Avoid Overwatering Lawns and Landscapes, 5/6/2013
When it comes to landscape irrigation, much water is wasted. Some estimates are that lawns and landscapes are overwatered by 30 to 300 percent.
Early Heat Leads to Irrigation on Lawns, 6/7/2012
With soil and air temperatures a month ahead of schedule this year, turf irrigation is also ahead of schedule.
How Long Will Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue Survive When Dormant?, 7/21/1012
Either because of drought or perhaps to conserve water, cool-season grasses can be allowed to go dormant in extended droughts.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: Alternative to Bluegrass Turf, 5/29/2012
The single biggest use of water in the average western Nebraska household is irrigating the Kentucky bluegrass lawn. Homeowners in western Nebraska have two alternative.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: When to Start Watering, Fertilizing and Mowing in Western Nebraska, 4/8/2013
When spring brings warmer days, it’s tempting to watering the lawn and spread some fertilizer. But before you do that, take a moment to stop and think.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: Fertilizing and Mowing Your Lawn, 4/15/2013
Fertilizing a turf grass lawn is a lot more than just buying a bag of fertilizer and spreading it all in the spring.
Water Wise for Western Nebraska: Trees and Turf Have Different Water Needs, 5/3/2013
Trees and turf often share space in home landscapes, but they have different water needs. Understanding this can help conserve water and save money.
Hort Update for June 7, 2013
| Lawns | Major Symptom: |
| 1. Rising soil temperatures | Time crabgrass control products correctly |
| 2. Cool season turfgrass seeding | Avoid seeding after mid-May. Daily monitoring required. |
| 3. Weed control in new seedings | Wait until after two mowings to apply typical herbicides |
| 4. Smooth & downy brome control | Downy will die soon; no selective control for smooth |
| 5. Summer patch | Spring fungicide applications needed to avoid summer damage |
| 6. White grub prentation | Apply between Flag day (June 14th) and 4th of July |
| 7. Lawn mushrooms | Harmless to lawn; remove to prevent children and pets from eating |
| Trees & Shrubs | |
| 8. Elm flea weevil | Tiny holes chewed into leaves by tiny weevils with long snout. |
| 9. What's wrong with my tree? | Drought damage continues to rise |
| 10. Sirrococcus shoot blight | Tip dieback. Higher incidence on unirrigated Spruce |
| 11. Spider mites | Yellowing to bronzing of leaves; stippled appearance |
| 12. Cedar-apple rust galls | Hard galls encircling twigs; develop orange gelantinous projections during moist periods |
| Landscape Ornamentals |
|
| 13. Mulching ornamentals | Apply 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch |
| 14. Keeping perennials neat & tidy | Cut plant back after first flower flush |
| Fruits & Vegetables | |
| 15. Strawberry leaf spot | Reddish purple spots on leaves; some leaf browning |
| 16. Strawberry bed renovation | Renovate in June after harvest is complete |
| 17. Tree & small fruit pest control | Follow spray schedule for good pest control |
| 18. Squash bugs | Black shield shaped adult bugs; reddish eggs on leaf undersides |
| 19. Tomato early blight & septoria leaf spot | Brown leaf spots with concentric rings, leaf yellowing from bottom up |
| 20. Morel mushrooms | Where and when to find morel mushrooms |