News WithOut Walls

July 2019

Lawn watering is allowed twice per week, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., on an odd and even address schedule. However, it may not be necessary to irrigate both days unless rainfall is scarce and grass shows signs it needs water, like blades folded in half lengthwise or footprints lingering in the lawn. If these signs appear, schedule irrigation on your next allowable watering day. Consider the following schedule:

July & August: While weekly rainfall remains, one scheduled irrigation of 1/2″ to 3/4” per week.

Allowable water days:

ODD addresses (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Wednesday and Saturday
EVEN addresses (ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Thursday and Sunday

Need help determining how long to run each zone to accomplish 3/4” of water? Citrus County offers free training at your home on the irrigation system and controller operation. Call (352) 527-7669 to schedule a training or to report new plantings that require additional irrigation.

Let a smart irrigation controller do the thinking for you…and save water.
Did you know that about half the water used on Citrus County landscapes is wasted due to system failings. A weather-based irrigation controller reduces waste by adjusting watering based on local climate and landscape conditions.

Models that have earned the WaterSense label have been independently certified for efficiency and performance. Some even link to your smart phone or smart home system, to provide more control. Save nearly 8,000 gallons of water each year. Look for a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller to replace a traditional timer, and get smart about watering wisely whatever the weather.

$150 credit available for installation of a WaterSense labeled controller. Call for details.

For more information about WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/irrigation-controllers.

Rain Sensors Work

Like most technology, rain sensors got a bad reputation among some contractors when they first emerged many, many years ago. Today however, they are a reliable, inexpensive and useful tool to stop irrigation during and after heavy rainfall, as well as required by Florida Statute. Let’s face it, we aren’t always awake or present to turn the irrigation system off during times of high rainfall. With a rain sensor, you don’t have to be. The utility offers a $50 account credit for replacement. Call for details.

July is Smart Irrigation month. Did you know that more than fifty percent of the Citrus County Utilities drinking water supply is used for landscape irrigation? And, according to EPA Water Sense, as much as half of that is wasted due to inefficient practices. Improving landscape water use is closely tied to the future of our water resources. To learn more about smart irrigation, call to schedule a specialist to conduct an irrigation checkup at your home. 352-527-7669

FREE Classes

On the following Tuesdays, 2 to 4 PM:

July 9 — Terrific turf
July 23 — Florida-Friendly fertilizing
Aug. 6 — right plant, right place
Aug. 20 — Create a Florida-Friendly Landscape
Sep. 10 — Optimizing irrigation systems
Sep. 24 — Managing pests wisely

On the following Wednesdays, 6 to 8 PM:

July 17 — Gardening in Florida’s sandy soil

These FREE workshops are held at the Citrus County Extension Services office. For details and to register, go to: ccuFFLprogram.eventbrite.com.

July & August

Annuals / Bedding Plants: Annuals to plant in July include celosia, coleus, torenia and ornamental pepper. In August, continue planting coleus, as well as kalanchoe, and vinca.
Herbs: Herbs that can be planted from plants (not seeds) include bay laurel, ginger, Mexican tarragon and rosemary.
Vegetables: In July, start your Halloween pumpkins, but watch out for mildew diseases. Okra and Southern peas can also be planted. Or, take a break and use summer heat to solarize the vegetable garden for fall planting. It takes 4–6 weeks to kill weeds, disease, and nematodes, so start now. See Soil Solarization: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_soil_solarization In August, tomatoes, beans, carrots and others can be planted for the fall garden.
Trees: Prepare for hurricane season by checking trees for damaged or weak branches and pruning if needed. Hire an ISA-certified arborist. See International Society of Arboriculture: http://isa-arbor.com/ and Pruning Landscape Trees and Shrubs: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_tree_pruning
For more details or to see another month’s calendar, visit: http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/calendar/

Citrus Link Newsletter
The Citrus County Public Information Officer also sends a monthly email newsletter highlighting the latest construction projects, meeting highlights, staff and more. If you would like to receive this once a month newsletter, it’s easy to sign up, just go to www.citrusbocc.com/pio/pio.

Copyright © 2019 Citrus County Departement of Water Resources, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a Citrus County Utilities customer. We send Newsletters in our mailed bills. However, if you do not receive a paper bill, you may be missing this important information.

Our mailing address is:

Citrus County Departement of Water Resources

3600 W Sovereign Path Ste 202

Lecanto, FL 34461-7726

Add us to your address book

Phone: (352) 527-7669 Email: WaterConservation@Citrusbocc.com

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.