Water-wise News for March, Citrus County, Florida
Spring arrives March 19, 2024. Adjust the irrigation schedule to water once per week according to the last digit of the house number of your address, as noted below. If you have a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller, there is no need to make adjustments because the controller will automatically increase runtimes to meet spring water needs.
Citrus County Utilities offers a one-time training on your irrigation system and can assist customers with irrigation schedule updates. Call 352-527-7669.
During March through November, one scheduled irrigation of 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch each week is sufficient for your lawn, which is about 30 to 45 minutes per rotor head zone and 15 to 20 minutes per spray head zone.
Due to water restrictions, watering is limited to one day per week, either before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m., but not both, as follows: House number addresses ending in:
0 or 1 - water on Monday.
2 or 3 - water on Tuesday.
4 or 5 - water on Wednesday.
6 or 7 - water on Thursday.
8 or 9, and locations with a mix of addresses or no address - water on Friday.
How to Replace Your Toilet Flapper
A toilet flapper is a simple rubber device that holds water in the toilet tank, then releases water into the bowl when you flush. It needs to be replaced at least every five years or your toilet could leak.
1 - Turn off the water behind the toilet.
2, - Remove the tank cover and flush.
3 - Remove the old flapper - After removing the old flapper, it would be a good idea to take it to the home store to ensure you get a compatible model. Flappers usually sell for less than $20. Some flappers have a foam float on the chain that willl also need to be replaced.
4 - Attach the new flapper to the pegs.
5 - Reattach or adjust the toilet chain length for a tight seal.
6 - Turn the water on (behind the toilet) and flush.
Planting Perennials Can Save Time and Money
The next time you're shopping for flowers, take note of those labeled perennial. Unlike annuals that typically only live for one season, perennials live two or more growing seasons. That means you will get more bang for your buck and spend less time digging holes. Once established, perennials often need less watering than annuals, another time saver for hand waterers.
A plant's tag will identify the zones it is suited for. Here in Citrus County, we are 9a and 9b (southwest portion of the county) which can get as cold as 20 degrees. Purchasing plants with higher zones, like 10, 11 and 12, are better suited to South Florida and may not survive our winters.
Before you purchase your plant, also verify the light requirements. Full sun means 6 hours of sun each day. Keep in mind that full sun does not necessarily mean 'all day' sun; 4 hours of afternoon sun or 6 hours of morning sun are comparable and can often still be considered full sun.
Perennials will be in the ground for years. Amending the soil prior to planting will help them thrive longer. Add compost or manure to the area and work it in to the top 10-12 inches of soil before planting. For more information on Gardening with Perennials in Florida, visit edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG035.
Water Expo, March 21, 12:00-2:30 pm, Homosassa
A Water Expo will beheld on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 12:00 noon to 2:30 pn, at the Sugarmill Woods Country Club, located at 1501 Corkwood Blvd. in Homosassa, Florida; phone (352) 382-1200. This event is held annually during Fix a Leak Week, March 18-24 during 2024.
The event is co-hosted by the Sugarmill Woods Civic Association. Representatives of Citrus County Utilities, Southwest Florida Water Management District and Extension Services will be available to answer questions. Free promotional items will be given to attendees, and there will be a plant plant raffle.
Rebates are Available for EPA Water Sense Products
• Rain Sensor Replacement - $50
• Water Sense Labeled(auto-adjusting) Irrigation Controller - $10
• Water Sense Labeled Toilet - $100 for first toilet, $75 for second toilet, replacing pre-1995 toilets; pre-approval is required.
• NEW - Water Sense Labeled Toilet - $25 to replace a 1.6 gallon per flush with 1.28 gpf or less Water Sense labeled toilet, replacing post-1995 toilets; pre-approval is required.
Here's a link to the rebate application for a Rain Sensor and Irrigation Controller, citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/z18olalc0an7h7v, and a link to the rebate application for the Toilet Application
citruswater.wufoo.com/forms/w1q2e5ah1lhbrb4/. If you have questions, call (352) 527-7669.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Program Classes
Join a FREE Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Program workshop, available at the Universityof Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Extension Services office, located at 3650 W. Sovereign Path, Suite 1, in Lecanto, Florida. Upcoming topics will include:
• Optimizing Irrigation Systems
• Managing Pests Wisely
• Right Plant, Right Place
For a complete list of workshops and to register, visit: ccufflprogram.eventbrite.com. If you need some Florida-Friendly Landscaping advice, call FFL Coordinator Steven Davis at (352) 527-5708.
What to do in the Landscape and Garden during March
Annuals/Bedding Plants: Dianthus and other cool-season annuals continue to flourish. Consider planting warm-season annuals such as angelonia, wax begonia, and zinnia at the end of the month. See Annuals as https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/annuals.
Bulbs: Plant dahlia, canna, and gloriosa bulbs for spring and summer flowering. Provide stakes as needed to support growth. See Bulbs for Florida at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_bulbous_flowers.
Azaleas: Prune azaleas when they have finished blooming to reduce their size and improve their form. See Azalea at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_azalea.
Vegetables: Begin planting warm-season crops, such as beans, tomatoes, squash, and corn, early in the month for late spring harvest. Protect from frost. See Vegetable Gardening in Florida at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_vegetable_gardening.
For more details on these topics and more, visit https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-gardening-calendar/.
Planning or adding to the landscape? The Florida-Friendly Landscaping Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design offers color images, zones hardiness, drought tolerance, light requirement and more, visit:
https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/homeowners/publications.htm or https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/.