The Drought, Part 2

By Cindy Poore

So you have already checked for leaks and looked at your water use for excess watering and corrected overspray and run off when possible.  What next? I want to landscape, how is this going to affect me? I have already sunk a bundle into new landscaping, how will this affect me? When can I water now with the new restrictions? What will happen to my plants and lawn? How will this affect me?

Questions, questions, questions. I have fielded lots of questions mostly about the new water restrictions. I will try to explain best as I can.

Every city is different. They can set their own rules to meet the state’s mandate. Some are very reasonable. Some seem to be much more restrictive.  I think a lot of the information out there is not clear at all and there is no one person disseminating the information so you get “interpretation” depending on who you talk to.

Apple Valley’s watering restrictions are basically 10 minutes per station per day for three days a week even or odd depending on your address.

When I called to check, there was confusion on exactly how this is applied to all systems.  What about large rotor heads that cover a very large area and take time to cover their full area (versus a fixed head) or very low volume heads like mp rotators that need to run for long periods to apply the correct amount of water? I have been told there is no exception for these types of heads in the new regulations. This means people with these types of heads cannot run their systems long enough to keep their lawns watered.

Apparently, in Apple Valley (or at least the person I spoke with) drip is not covered by the time limit nor restricted to the watering days. I could not find where it says this in writing so this could be a moving target. Watering hot spots with a shut off nozzle was said to be ok.

Hesperia. According to your city website, you have one of the most relaxed regulations with the city asking you not water two of the seven days a week and conserve the other five days. Hey! I can do that!!

Helendale/Silverlakes  They have also taken a grown up approach and have asked their residents to conserve on their own by 25%. Being a small, tight community where everyone knows everyone, this should work.

Victorville. Victorville’s restrictions are the one city whose written rules are very clear. They do not limit the time a station can run. Running drip every day is ok with them. (But NOT if you know my point of view. That shouldn’t be necessary) They limit the days with an even odd system, ask for no run off with sensible use, and they offer properties with more than 10 stations to submit water reduction plans. In addition, they make it clear that you can hand water your brown spots on other days with a use of a shut off nozzle. The rules are totally clear and workable. They live in the real world.

Wrightwood Golden State Water Company customers… one word UGH!
You are in stage 1 as of July 1st. You are only allowed two days a week watering outdoors WITH SPRAY HEADS and no run off. No run off is hard as Wrightwood is pretty much all on a slope. Drip irrigation is NOT restricted to the two days but can be watered all 7 days if needed.  It requests that you only water for 15 minutes a station. You CAN hand water dry spots as well I am told.

So Wrightwoodians  (or others) might augment their lawn watering with drip to keep their lawns going on other days and still stay in compliance.  How? Perhaps a soaker hose laid out strategically could do the trick. Conservation is still in order, but thankfully there are no emergency surcharges in Stage 1 here.

Rules (and interpretations) could change but be smart with your watering and remember we are all in this together.

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### July Stuff

Normally, I don’t recommend fertilizing in July. It just encourages the bad grasses, but so many of the lawns are just looking so bad with all the water restrictions. We’ve been putting a 9-9-9 with Iron fertilizer on those lawns that look bad but that are still able to water enough to keep the lawn going.  This low nitrogen 9-9-9 with iron will promote green without a lot of unnecessary growth and help the roots to withstand the stress of drought and it wont burn your lawn. Fertilize lightly and water in soon after and your lawn will thank you.

Got Iris? This is the best month to divide them and replant elsewhere in your garden or share the love. Remember to dig up and divide with a good amount of iris tuber, preferably with roots on it. Trim the greenery of all but about 3 inches and let the plant sit out for a couple of days to heal off the tuber where you separated it before planting in it’s new home.

This is a good month to visit the local farmer’s markets as the produce is fantastic, prices are great and it’s a nice way to spend some time. Wrightwood’s is on Fridays 4 pm to 7 pm and the Victor Valley College Farmer’s market is on Thursdays 8-noon. Phelan Farmer’s market is Mondays from 2 to 6 pm.

Remember….
These are the days we were
dreaming about in February!