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I grew up on a well and we watered A LOT with the only cost being the electricity to run the well. So, I guess I'm just not averse to turning the water on. I mean, you're just putting clean water back into the ground. [Dunno]
Also, don't let anyone tell you there's no water in Colorado. Yes, it's dry and arid but there's more water underground than the Great Lakes. IMO, the 'water savers' are just like the 'climate changers'.
None of my statements are in regards to saving the environment so much as trying to save myself a few bucks. While there is lots of water underground very little of that is above ground and Colorado is a very arid climate... a high desert if you will. If it wasn't for the work of man to bring water here we'd all have xeriscape like Arizona. We're all a little spoiled with lush green Kentucky bluegrass lawns that we've all come to expect but it does take a lot more effort here than it did for me in Nebraska.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jefe's AR
Longmont and the watering costs are outrageous. Plus I have a big lawn. (unlike that postage stamp picture posted above)Quote:
Originally Posted by Jefe's AR
In july, my bills can easily top $500 and I only water when necessary and keep the grass VERY long. But it's very porous soil where I live, so it goes right down.
I believe I laid about 2,500sq ft of sod when I did the landscaping so it's not huge by any stretch but if that number was doubled my watering needs wouldn't be double as I'm pretty good at dialing in my heads and watering needs just like if it were only 1,500sq ft I wouldn't use much less water than I do now. Our soil up against the foothills is the opposite and it's VERY dense with clay. The grass roots don't penetrate at all and no amount of 'watering infrequently for long periods' approach will amend that. So for me I water very short periods (usually 10min) once per day (less with sustained & measurable rain) and during the very hot days of mid-summer I'll hit them again mid to late afternoon for about 5min per zone or so to keep the lawn cool and from going into shock.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnTRourke
Too many times people want to fight the conditions they're given rather than just working with them which ends up being much easier. I cringe at the commercials that our tax dollars are paying for telling us to 'not be that guy' who waters his lawn in the heat of the day which wastes water. Bullshit. When you're exercising in the heat of the day do you keep yourself from drinking water because it's wasteful? Of course not. Why would it be any different for your lawn if you actually care about keeping it healthy? The same people who are programmed to see me as being wasteful when my sprinklers are on mid-day probably have a water bill 2-3x higher than mine every month so it's a complete waste of efforts.
Jer, how about a quick lawn tutorial?
Wonder if now would be a good time to overseed with the expected weekend storm and all the moisture it's supposed to bring?
I was just thinking the same thing.. got it aerated and fertilized before the last snow... now I'm thinking some seed needs to go down.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramsker
I was thinking about starting a picture thread where people post photos of their lawn, then the hive mind can chime in with ideas.Quote:
Originally Posted by Erni
A tutorial? How? I think I already gave all of my tips. Don't overseed so I have no input on that. Never really felt the need.
If you have uneven areas or low spots you can rake in light amounts of dirt to the lower lying areas and over time the root base will wise with the new dirt level and eventually (years) you will level out the lower areas.
I mean, other than that I can't really think of any other things I do really. I like to keep shit basic but not slack on said basics.
I layed down some organic fertilizer on Sunday. All the moisture this weekend should really help out.
I gets aerated on the 16th.