Water-wise News with November Garden Tips, Citrus County Utilities
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Tue - November 5, 2024
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Irrigation Scheduling If irrigation controller help is needed, call 352-527-7669 to schedule a free one-time training.
November: One scheduled irrigation of 1/2” to 3/4” each week. That is about 30-45 minutes per rotor head zone and 15-20 minutes per spray head zone.
December, January & February: Due to cooler weather and less evaporation, turf only needs irrigation about once every two weeks, if no significant rainfall. If we have received rain, skip another two weeks. Many turn the irrigation controller to the off position and only turn on after two weeks of no rainfall. Do not unplug the irrigation controller, as it may lose its programming.
Per ordinance, watering is limited to one day per week, either before 10 a.m. or after 4 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
Rye Grass is a nice option to brighten up a winter landscape. This grass is an annual, meaning it will dye in spring. Rye grass germinates using Florida’s abundant nighttime dew. In Florida, the seed does not need additional irrigation to establish. Furthermore, because the grass is purely aesthetic and temporary, additional irrigation to establish is not permitted.
Guidelines indicate the best time to spread Rye seed in North Florida is from October to November, and Central Florida from October to early December. The optimal time to spread in your landscape is when daytime temperatures are consistently in the low to mid 70°F range. For best results, prep lawn by raking the grass to remove all debris and to allow seed better contact with soil.
Easy Fall Landscape Tasks
If you took a break from yardwork the last few months, there is plenty to do now that temperatures are more enjoyable. First, pull any weeds that invaded garden beds. Then, apply a 3-to-4-inch layer of mulch to keep future weeds at bay. Fresh mulch brightens any landscape. Pine straw, pine bark and fallen leaves are renewable choices that reduce weeds and seed germination while helping retain moisture.
Dividing perennials that have fleshy roots is a great way to multiply without buying more plants. Divide plants in the fall, four to six weeks before the ground freezes. This gives the roots time to establish themselves before the weather gets colder. Divide plants like peonies, Oriental poppies, and Siberian irises, Stokes' aster, Daylily, Black-eyed Susan, Yarrow, Crocosmia, Flax lily, Liriope, and Cast iron plant. Dig up the whole plant and use a sharp shovel or pruning shears to cut into small pieces. Replant a portion in the original hole and plant the other pieces nearby for impact or find a new place altogether. Plant the new pieces at the same depth they were growing originally. Bulbous plants can be divided anytime they are actively growing, but not flowering. See gardening with perennials.
Skip Nitrogen Fertilizer in Winter
Nitrogen fertilizer in winter decreases turf’s ability to survive cold. Nitrogen forces grass shoots to grow, which can stress grass this time of year. Do not apply nitrogen containing fertilizer from November through March. This best practice is good for the turf, environment, and adheres to the County’s fertilizer ordinance.
Bahia Seed — Wait for Spring
Bahiagrass is a drought tolerant and low maintenance choice for your Florida lawn. It requires less water, fertilizer and mowing than other grasses. As with other warm-season grass seed, the best time to sow is March or later. However, rainy season usually begins in June offering free nutrient-rich water and plenty of time to establish before winter cold temperatures. If spreading in fall or winter, the seed will not grow until spring and may develop less vigorously. Therefore, Bahia grass seed should not be irrigated if disbursed in fall.
Join a FREE workshop available at the Extension Services office in Lecanto. Upcoming topics include:
Call FFL Coordinator Steven Davis at 352-527-5708.
Want to add new plants to the landscape? The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design offers color images, zones hardiness, drought tolerance, light requirements and more: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/
Bulbs: Bulbs to plant include amaryllis, crinum, and daylily. Plant spider lily in partial shade. Plants produce foliage in winter, and beautiful red flowers emerge in late summer. See Bulbs for Florida: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_bulbous_flowers
Herbs: A wide variety of herbs like cooler, dryer weather, including cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, sage, and thyme. See Herbs: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_herbs
Water Sense Labeled Irrigation Controller — $100 (auto-adjusting controller)
Water Sense Labeled Toilet* -- $100, 1st toilet / $75, 2nd toilet if replacing a toilet that flushes more than1.6 gallon per flush with 1.28 gpf or less (old toilet typically installed before1995. Pre-approval & photos required.)
Water Sense Labeled Toilet* -- $25 per toilet if replacing a 1.6 gallon per flush with 1.28 gpf or less Water Sense labeled toilet. (old toilet typically installed after 1995. Pre-approval & photos required.)
