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Beltsville MD Irrigation System Tips

Here are some tips to maximize your Beltsville MD irrigation system effects.

Water infrequently (as possible).

When you do water, be sure to run the water long enough so that moisture soaks down to the roots. There are some exceptions to this general ; newly seeded lawns where the surface needs to stay moist; and newly sodded lawns that have not yet rooted. Avoid too frequent waterings that may promote shallower root systems and weeds.

Water early in the day if possible.

Given a choice, water early in the day when lawns are normally wet from dew. Avoid midday watering due to excessive evaporation, and at night due to potential increased chances of some diseases gaining a foothold. An exception is when you are in extremely hot weather and night time temperatures don't go below 68 degrees. In that case, it is better to water in the late afternoon or early evening, providing you don't have watering-time restrictions. Early or late in the day reduces the amount of evaporation that takes place during the very hot day, allowing more water to reach the roots.

Spread the water uniformly across the lawn.

Sprinklers vary in distribution patterns, and require spray overlap for uniform coverage. Placing coffee cans or similar straight-sided containers on the lawn can help measure water application rates. Avoid flooding areas, or missing other spots. On heavy clay soils and slopes, watch for excessive runoff; it may be necessary to apply the water in several applications to allow for adequate penetration.

Water conservation.

To help conserve water, mow your lawn at a higher than normal height, avoid applying an excess of nitrogen as warm weather approaches, limit traffic over the lawn, improve turf rooting, control thatch and soil compaction, and avoid pesticide use on drought stressed lawns. Don't allow water to hit the driveway or into the street.

Avoid overwatering

Use a raingauge to measure how much water you're applying. Overwatering does more than deplete the water supply, it also makes plants prone to pests and adds to stormwater runoff, which pollutes our water systems. By choosing and operating a watering system correctly, you can reduce water bills, insect and disease problems, and maintenance requirements. For example, the more you water your lawn, the faster it grows and the more it needs to be mowed.

Hold off watering after fertilization and hold off fertilizing if heavy rains are expected.

To reduce the possibility of having fertilizer wash into our water system, don't water heavily soon after fertilizing. Use light waterings to give the fertilizer the opportunity to be absorbed by the soil. Also, if heavy rains are in the forecast, hold off fertilizing until the heavy rains have passed.

Check rainfall

Don't water the lawn if rains are expected soon. Keep track of rainfall for the week. Don't apply more water to the lawn than what is absolutely necessary. The guide of about 1" of water per week is only a guide. If your lawn doesn't get that 1" of water, it's not going to die.

For more information on watering your lawn and irrigation systems in Beltsville, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has been Beltsville, MD’s leading licensed landscape design company. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today for a consultation on irrigation systems in Beltsville, MD.


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