Spring Training for Lawns - Irrigation Tips

Did you know more plants are killed in North Carolina from over-watering than from drought? 

Or that Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents use 50% more water during summer time?

The below suggestions will help you maintain a great yard with less watering (and lower water bills).

View and Print WaterSmart Landscape Suggestions.

Detailed Lists for Drought Tolerant:

* Turf / Grass (Hybrid Bermuda is suggested),

* Perennial Flowers, Annual Flowers,

* Shrubs, and Trees.

For more information go to NC Cooperative Extension. Links to Other Landscaping Tips and OASIS Landscaping

Use Turfgrass for a Purpose
* Aesthetic Value (Welcome Mat)
* Recreational Surface
* Erosion Control

Divide the Landscape into Three Water-use Zones
*  High Water-use Zone (Oasis Zone) 10% of the landscape is watered regularly

*  Moderate Water-use Zone (Transition Zone) 30% of the landscape is watered on demand

*  Low Water-use Zone (Xeric Zone) 60% of the landscape is not watered

High Water-use Zone (Oasis Zone)

The High Water-use Zones are small, highly visible, high-impact areas of the landscape where plants are watered routinely to encourage their optimum growth and performance.  This zone is usually limited to the entrance to the home or business.

In the Moderate Water-use Zones, plants are watered routinely during establishment, then they are watered only when they show signs of moisture stress by turning a gray-green color or by wilting. Typical landscape plants located in this zone would include azaleas, dogwoods, redbuds and herbaceous perennials.

Low Water-use Zone  (Xeric Zone)

Plants in the Low Water-use Zones are not watered once they are established, except during extreme drought.   A large number of our common landscape plants will adapt to the low water-use zones, including junipers, crape myrtle, yaupon holly and oaks.  Native, undisturbed areas would also be treated as low water-use zones.

Landscaping Tips
     Charlotte Observer articles about:  Fescue, Plants

     EPA Irrigation Tips (brochure)

     Smart Irrigation Tips from Irrigation Association, Print outs

     Consumer Horticulture - N.C. Cooperative Extension Service
     704-336-2561

     Pollution Prevention Page

     Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Management
     704-336-5359