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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFile Documents.688 Spruce St.0119-2020-BRES (41)9809 N. FRONTAGE RD. I-76 | PO BOX 715, FORT MORGAN, CO 80701-0715 • 970.867.8873 • graffs@graffsturf.com 1-800-280-8873 (TURF) • www.Gras Tur .com Ir rigation Guide NEED PHOTO The following recommendations are based upon scientific research, horticultural principles and the expertise learned in growing and maintaining HY-Performance Blue. In order to better understand the amount of supplemental water required by HY-Performance Blue, one first needs to understand its growth cycle. HY-Performance Blue has growth habits are similar to Kentucky Bluegrass. HY-Performance Blue greens up in the spring (April, May and June), and slows its growth slightly in the summer (July and August). In the fall (September and October), HY-Performance Blue®greens up again with the fall moisture and then goes dormant during the winter months (November through March). The two primary growth periods are early spring as it comes out of winter dormancy and in the fall as it prepares for winter. During these periods, water and nutrients are essential for the plant to remain viable and healthy. However, HY-Performance Blue needs 30%-40% less water than normal Kentucky Bluegrass, allowing for water savings while still having a viable lawn during stress periods. Being an adaptable plant, HY-Performance Blue can adjust to most consumer requirements by the addition or reduction of water, fertilizer and mowing. One simple method of determining whether the grass needs watering is to observe the dehydration signs given by the grass. They are: Stage 1: grass has a purplish tint Stage 2: grass blades turn steel gray and footprints are left when walked on Stage 3: grass blades turn straw color There are numerous ways of watering. Some people drag hoses with a variety of attached sprinklers. Others have automatic sprinkler systems. Some even use weather-based or soil moisture-based controllers. The amount of water applied can be measured by rain gauges, setting out cans in the lawn in the area covered by the sprinklers, or understanding the application rates of the sprinkler system. However, most consumers over-water! Some set their automatic sprinkler clocks and don't change them despite climatic changes. This method has been shown to be the most wasteful. The real question is how much water must be applied to get the desired results? The answer is not a simple one because the variables and requirements are always changing -climatic conditions are not constant, water availability varies, and consumers desire different outcomes. In order to help the consumer be a better water manager, all factors must be considered. Each lawn environment is different. Was the ground properly prepared? W hat type of soil is there? What type of grass is it? W hen and how much was it fertilized? How was it mowed? W hat is the purpose of the lawn? Other major questions are: What would happen if the amount of water applied was less? How will it look? W hat will be the possible results? W ill the grass go dormant and survive? The approximate amount of water that needs to be applied each week to supplement natural rainfall is listed in the following chart: Data for the chart is based on historical averages and do not predict the future. This is a guideline, not a substitute for good judgment, reason and common sense. If your water provider imposes weekly restrictions, then divide the weekly amount by the number of days watering is allowed. Example: If there is a 2 day-a-week restriction and the month is August, 1 inch is divided by 2 days = ½ inch of water per day. It should be obvious that good water management requires analysis coupled with reasonable judgment. Because of the many variables, it is impossible to give one answer that fits all lawn environments at all times. However, by utilizing the information provided, better results will be gained and water will be used more prudently. HY-Perfor mance Blue Approximate Supplemental Water for an Average HY-Performance Blue Lawn (inches per week) April .17" May .52" June .87" July .87" August .7" September .52" October .35"