In article TjdHc.46659$Oq2.39678@attbi_s52,
"Pam - gardengal" wrote:
Pete, most lawn grasses in the PNW are a blend of cool season grasses that
do best in our climate. 'Cool season' is a key - these are grasses that want
to go dormant during the heat of summer. Water is an extremely valuable (and
expensive) resource here in WA state and I would encourage you to allow the
lawns to go dormant if at all possible - attempting to maintain a large
expanse of lush green lawn through the heat and dryness of our summers is
often an exercise in futility, not to mention a huge drain on one's
pocketbook, paying premium rates for water. The lawn will green up rapidly
once cooler temps and fall rains resume.
Hmm...sounds good.
If maintaining the greenness is essential, the lawn will need one inch of
water per week, preferably delivered in one or two significant waterings
rather than daily small doses. If puddling occurs, it is an indication you
need to aerate the lawn so that the water will percolate well down into the
root zone. And don't mow too short - too tight a cut exposes roots to too
much sun and further dries out the lawn, as well as allowing the germination
of weeds.
Alas, as I mentioned, I'm in the army...and logic and reason (as well as
efficiency) have no bearing whatsoever. I have been instructed to
maintain this lawn, and doggone it, I will.
Is there any way to calculate the approximate watering time necessary to
lay down an inch of water per week? For instance, would two hours with a
standard impact sprinkler (40ft radius) with good water pressure put
down an inch of water? I could go out there and put some cans down to
measure, but I'm just looking for an approximate value. I have some
faucet timers, so I don't go overboard and leave the lawns soaked and
waste a ton of water if I forget to turn off the faucets.
I'm just trying to get this done as best I can in the most efficient
manner possible. That is proving to be rather difficult, as I'm not a
gardening expert.
pam - gardengal
WA state
--
Pete Stephenson
HeyPete.com