Water-Wise news for Citrus County, FL, May 2023
Irrigation
Irrigation should be scheduled to water once per week. If you need training on how to adjust the irrigation controller, call 352-527-7669.
May through November: One scheduled irrigation of 1/2” to 3/4” each week. 3/4” of irrigation is about 45 minutes, per rotor head zone, and 20 minutes per spray head zone.
Per restrictions, allowable watering is limited to one day per week, either before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. (not both), as follows:
Addresses Ending in:
0 or 1 -- Monday
2 or 3 -- Tuesday
4 or 5 -- Wednesday
6 or 7 -- Thursday
8 or 9 and locations with a mix of addresses or no address -- Friday
Mulch
Mulch is the finishing touch that makes the landscape pop. But, it is also an essential part of any Florida-Friendly landscape. A thick 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch helps keep weeds at bay and retains moisture to give plants more time to soak up water. Mulch also acts as a protective barrier from Florida’s hot weather.
Use a sustainably harvested mulch like melaleuca, pine straw, or eucalyptus. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program does not recommend the use of cypress mulch, as it may not be sustainably harvested.
Plant Hardiness Zone
When choosing plants that will last in the landscape, it is important to identify the plant hardiness zone. Most information tags will identify the zone. The majority of Citrus County is zone 9a, but there is a small area in the southwest portion that is 9b. Identifying the appropriate zone helps gardeners choose plants most likely to thrive at a location. The zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature from 1976-2005. The lowest temperature in zone 9a is 20-25 degrees Fahrenheit and zone 9b is 25-30 degrees. Three other important factors to plant success are sun, soil, and watering requirements.
Rebates
Rebates are available for items with a EPA Water Sense logo:
Rain Sensor Replacement — $50
Water Sense labeled Toilet — up to $100 (pre-approval required) Rebate is available to replace up to two pre-1995 toilets per household.
Water Sense labeled Irrigation Controller — $100 (auto-adjusting controller)
If you have questions, call (352) 527-7669. For details about the Water Savers Rebate Program and an application, click here: www.citrusbocc.com/departments/water_resources/water_conservation/programs/water_savers_rebate_program.php.
Mowing Practices Affect Lawn Health
Two of the most important practices that can improve grass health are proper mowing height and frequency of mowing. Maintaining the correct height can increase turf density, support a deeper root system, and increase pest resistance. Increasing turf density is a great way to discourage weed establishment. The result is fewer headaches and a less need for chemical herbicides. A deeper root system provides greater resistance to drought. In addition, the overall improved health of turf offers better resistance to environmental and pest problems.
Mowing Height
Most homes grow either a St. Augustine or Bahia lawn. These coarse-leaved grasses are best mowed between 3 and 4 inches high (a few dwarf varieties are maintained at shorter heights). In general, maintaining grass below its optimal height decreases the depth of the underground root system. Shallow roots limit turf’s ability to tolerate temperature stress, poor soil conditions, drought, even wear and tear from foot or wheel traffic. Therefore, cutting grass too short ("scalping") can cause turf stress, which compromises its health. Set your mower deck at the highest optimum height for your turf type.
Grass/Turf Type Optimal Mowing Height
Bahia 3.5 – 4.0”
St. Augustine 3.0 – 4.0” (a few cultivars are dwarf and should be mowed at 2.5”)
Zoysia 2.0 – 2.5”
Centipede 1.5 – 2.0”
Bermuda 1.5”
Mowing Frequency
A good mowing schedule would remove no more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time. Cutting off more leaf blade can cause turf stress, making it more susceptible to insects, disease, and even sunburn/sunscald. In the winter, grass may not need mowing at all, or once every few weeks. During the growing season, mowing may need to happen once weekly, at minimum, to maintain the correct length.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program
Join a FREE workshop available for in-person or online participation. Upcoming topics include:
Drought Tolerant Plants
9 Florida-Friendly Principles
Lawns in Central Florida
Optimizing Irrigation Systems
For details and to register, visit: https://ccufflprogram.eventbrite.com
Need some Florida-Friendly Landscaping advice? Call FFL Coordinator Steven Davis at 352-527-5708.
April
Annuals/Bedding Plants: New varieties of coleus do well in sun or shade and provide vivid colors and patterns for months. See Annuals: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_annual_landscape_plants.
Perennials & Bulbs: Divide clumps of bulbs, ornamental grasses, or herbaceous perennials to expand or rejuvenate garden beds or to pass along to friends. See Bulbs for Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_bulbous_flowers and Perennial Landscape Plants: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_perennials.
Vegetables: Continue planting warm-season crops, such as beans, sweet corn, and squash. Mulch well to prevent weeds and provide water if the weather has been dry. See Vegetable Gardening in Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening.
Lawns: If you fertilize your lawn, early April is typically a good time to apply. Choose a fertilizer (not a "weed and feed") with little or no phosphorus unless a soil test indicates the need for it. A fertilizer with controlled-release nitrogen yields longer-lasting results (and has less potential of pollution). See Lawn Fertilizer: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_lawn_fertilization
For more details on these topics and more, visit:
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/
https://twitter.com/citrusbocc
https://www.facebook.com/CitrusCountyBOCC
Citrus County Department of Water Resources
3600 W Sovereign Path Ste 202
Lecanto, FL 34461-7726
Phone: (352) 527-7669
Email: Debra.Burden@Citrusbocc.com