Would you like to report watering new plants, new sod or a fertilizer application? Call 352-527-7669.
July - 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.
Per ordinance, watering is limited to one day per week according to the last digit of your home address. Irrigation may occur 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
Irrigation System & Controller Help
Our water conservation specialists can conduct a FREE one-time irrigation system checkup & training that includes how to use your meter to check for leaks, operating the irrigation controller, testing the rain sensor, and offering toilet leak detection tablets. Call 352-527-7669 to schedule.
Summer Turfgrass Care Tips
Keep grass high. Mow your lawn at the highest recommended height. Lawns maintained at taller heights have deeper root systems. Deep roots can better withstand dry periods. Longer grass blades also offer shade to roots. If mowed too short, grass uses energy to grow leaf blades, rather than roots, which may cause stress.
Recommended heights:
St. Augustine & Bahia: 4”
Centipede: 2.0”
Dwarf St. Augustine: 2.5”
Zoysiagrass 3.0”
Irrigate ½ to ¾ inches. The goal is to get water to the root zone. Not deeper. Not shallower. One half to three-quarters of an inch is optimal to reach roots about six inches deep. Sending water to the root zone encourages deeper root growth. Using less than one-half inches of water signals roots to remain near the surface where they can easily dry out.
Avoid fertilizing. Fertilizers promote new growth, which can stress turf during periods of less rainfall. Sharpen Mower Blades. To minimize mowing stress, make sure blades are sharp. A clean cut will lose less water to evaporation than a ragged cut.
If you hire someone to care for your lawn, share these tips, ask questions and get involved.
July is Smart Irrigation Month
Did you know that more than fifty percent of drinking water sent to Citrus County Utilities’ customers is used for landscape irrigation? It’s true. And, according to EPA Water Sense, about half of that water is wasted due to inefficient fixtures or practices. Improving landscape water use is closely tied to the future of our water resources. To view the many Water Sense labeled products visit epa.gov/watersense.
Want to add new plants to the landscape? The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design offers color images, zone hardiness, drought tolerance, light requirements and more: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/
More Water Isn’t Always the Answer
Brown or yellow patches in your lawn? It’s tempting to turn up the sprinkler, but more water might actually make matters worse. Not all lawn issues are caused by dryness—chinch bugs, fungal disease, or poor soil can create the same symptoms as drought. Before you increase irrigation, take time to investigate. Overwatering a lawn that's already stressed can lead to shallow roots, wasted water, and further damage. Look closely:
Chinch bugs often gather in sunny areas and damage grass at the crown.
Fungal disease thrives in warm, wet conditions.
Dry soil may feel hard or powdery just below the surface.
Choosing the right remedy protects your lawn, conserves water, and supports a healthier environment. When in doubt, contact your local Extension office or lawn care professional for help identifying the problem.
Upcoming Classes:
July 10, 2025: Rain barrel workshop, $37 per barrel, Thursday, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
July 15, 2025: Optimizing irrigation systems
July 29, 2025: Managing pests wisely
August 12, 2025: Vegetable gardening
August 26, 2025: Planning a Florida landscape
September 9, 2025: Lawns in Central Florida
Most classes are held Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Extension Building, 3650 W. Sovereign Path in Lecanto, Florida. Register at https://ccufflprogram.eventbrite.com or call (352) 527-5708 for more information.
July Annuals/Perennials/Wildflowers: Summer annuals to plant now include celosia, coleus, torenia, and ornamental pepper. Bulbs: Butterfly lily and gladiolus can be planted during the middle of summer. Vegetables: Start your Halloween pumpkins this month but watch out for mildew diseases. Okra and Southern peas can also be planted. Trees: Prepare for hurricane season by checking trees for damaged or weak branches and pruning if needed. Azaleas: Prune no later than mid-July to protect developing buds for next spring's bloom. Lawns: Determine the cause of any lawn problems before taking action. If an insect is the culprit, treat only the affected area. Rule out disease or sprinkler malfunction.
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 than3.5+ gallon per flush with 1.28 gpf or less (old toilet typically installed before1995. Pre-approval & photos of existing toilet* required BEFORE toilet is replaced.)
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 of existing toilet* required BEFORE toilet is replaced.)
