November water conservation updates and gardening tips for Florida
Water-Wise News - Water Conservation
Citrus County Utilities
Citrus County Utilities
Irrigation
During November, one scheduled irrigation of 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch each week is sufficient. 1/2-inch of irrigation is about 30 minutes per rotor head zone and 15 minutes per spray head zone, while 3/4-inch of irrigation is about 45 minutes per rotor head zone and 20 minutes per spray head zone.
During the months of December, January and February, lawns need irrigation only about once every 14 days, so it can be helpful to turn the irrigation system to the OFF position. Then, only turn it ON after two weeks of no rainfall. Many residents are able to rely on rainfall for the entire winter.
Schedule irrigation for one day per week according to the last number of your address (see Lawn Watering Schedule below).
Lawn Watering Schedule
Per restrictions, 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
Free Irrigation Checkup, Rain Sensor Test & Training
We are here to help. Schedule a free one-time irrigation checkup, rain sensor test and training with Citrus County Utilities. Call (352) 527-7669 to make an appointment.
Winter Lawn Maintenance Reminders
Rye Seed Does Not Qualify for Additional Irrigation
Rye seed is a popular choice to brighten the winter landscape. However, it does not qualify for additional irrigation because it is a purely aesthetic grass that will die in spring. The good news… despite the label, rye seed does not require supplemental irrigation to grow in Florida. Nighttime dew is usually sufficient to prompt growth. For best results, prep the lawn by raking to remove debris and allow seeds better contact with soil.
Bahia Grass Seed — Wait for Spring to Sow
Fall seeding will not germinate until spring and will develop less vigorously. Therefore, Bahia seed should not be irrigated if disbursed in fall. As with other warm-season grass seed, the best time to sow is March or later. However, rainy season typically begins in June offering free nutrient-rich water and plenty of time to establish before winter cold temperatures. Overseeding an existing lawn also does not qualify for additional irrigation, so wait for the rainy season.
Brown Grass in Winter is Normal
The combination of cooler nights and shorter days prompts many plants and warm season grasses like St. Augustine and Bahia to begin dormancy. Leaves will drop and grass will likely turn brown. This is nature’s way of protecting plants from the cold. Applying more water will not keep the lawn from going dormant.
Grass Needs Less Water in Winter
Research shows that irrigation or rainfall about once every 14 days is sufficient to maintain turf in December, January, and February. Many homeowners turn the irrigation system to the OFF position and only turn it ON after more than two weeks of no rainfall. Do not unplug the controller or it will lose its settings. More water will not keep the lawn from browning. In fact, too much water in winter increases the odds of fungus issues, like Large Patch in St. Augustine grass.
No Fertilizer from November through March
Nitrogen-containing fertilizers in winter can harm turf and the environment. Roots are unable to absorb all the added nutrients during the cool season. The reduced amount taken up by roots may prompt growth that can stress grass in winter, making it more vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Also, fertilizer that is not absorbed can pollute the aquifer, springs, rivers and lakes.
Maintain Tall Grass
Most Bahia and St. Augustine grasses are more resilient when maintained at four inches high all year. In winter, four inches provides freeze protection. In summer, it shades roots to increase drought tolerance. Some University of Florida research suggests that north Florida St. Augustine grass may not need mowing in winter. Keep an eye on growth and talk with your lawn care professional about keeping it tall. At the very least, the lawn should be cut less frequently to maintain the correct height.
Winter Fungus: Brown Patch and Large Patch
A common disease triggered by extended periods of moisture is Brown Patch. This fungus infects the leaf area closest to the soil. The disease is most common from November through May when temperatures are below 80° F. All warm season turfgrasses, especially St. Augustine and Zoysia, can be affected. To reduce the chances of disease, avoid irrigating while the soil is still moist. For more information visit: edis.ifas.UFL.edu/LH044.
You Can $AVE Money This Winter
Plants and turf are slow growing during Florida’s cool season. Slow growth, combined with less evaporation, means less supplemental irrigation is needed. Natural rainfall is typically enough to maintain the landscape in December, January, February, and sometimes even November.
If your irrigation system is connected to the utility’s water supply, turning the controller to the OFF position could save you money. Here is how is works: An average irrigation system uses about 500 gallons of water per zone. A six-zone system uses about 3,000 gallons each time it runs, multiplied times four irrigation events per month is 12,000 gallons. That amounts to savings of $20.00 or more per month. Save money this winter. Turn the irrigation system to the OFF position and only turn back ON after two weeks of no rainfall or when SPRING arrives.
Rebates Available:
Rain Sensor Replacement - $50
Water Sense labeled Toilet (to replace pre-1995 toilets; pre-approval is required) - $100 for the first toilet and $75 for the second toilet
Water Sense labeled Irrigation Controller (auto-adjusting controller) — $100
Get more details and apply here: https://www.citrusbocc.com/departments/water_resources/water_conservation/programs/water_savers_rebate_program.php. If you have questions, call (352) 527-7669.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program
Join a FREE landscaping workshop, available in-person or online. Upcoming topics include:
Palms in Central Florida
9 Florida-Friendly Principles
Managing Pest Wisely
Healthy Winter Landscapes
For a complete list of landscaping workshops and to register, visit: https://ccufflprogram.eventbrite.com. For Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) advice, call FFL Coordinator Steven Davis at (352) 527-5708.
November Gardening Links (University of Florida):
Annuals/Bedding Plants: Create a display of fall and winter color with masses of petunia, pansy, snapdragon, lobelia, alyssum, dianthus, cape daisy or viola to add color to beds. See Annuals: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/annuals.
Herbs: Some examples of cool-weather herbs include parsley, thyme, sage, dill, fennel, garlic, comfrey, and cilantro. See Herbs: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_herbs.
Bulbs: Many bulbs like to get their start in cool weather. Bulbs to plant this month include amaryllis, crinum, and daylily. See Bulbs for Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_bulbous_flowers.
Vegetables: Continue planting cool-season crops, such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, kale, celery, cauliflower and lettuce. See Vegetable Gardening in Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening.
Camellias: Add some of the new cultivars for bright spots of color in winter. Disbudding, or removing some buds now, ensures larger blooms later. See Camellias: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_camellia.
For more details on these topics and more, visit:
https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/.
Florida Plant Selection and Care
Planning or adding to your Florida landscape? The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design offers color images, zones hardiness, drought tolerance, light requirement and more:
https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/homeowners/publications.htm
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