PLEASE HELP PROTECT STORM DRAINS:

Just one quart of motor oil can ruin the quality of 250,000 gallons of water. Decomposing leaves and grass clippings can cause large amounts of algae to grow, which depletes the oxygen level in the water and can lead to fish kills. The blowing, sweeping or dumping of grass clippings and other pollutants down the storm drain is against Texas State Law, punishable by a fine of $5,000 for each offense.

PLEASE CALL 281-398-8211 TO REPORT OFFENDERS.

Fine-Tune Your Irrigation System To Save Money and See Better Results

Summer is in full swing, the sun is shining bright and picnics and barbecues are the order of the day. But you may not know that July is also Smart Irrigation Month. Here are 10 tips from Rain Bird and the Irrigation Association® to help you save money and water while keeping your yard beautiful all summer long...

Automatic irrigation systems offer convenience in protecting your landscape investment. Enjoy your yard, keep it healthy and beautiful while you water efficiently and you will save time and money. With some simple practices and new technology, your existing irrigation system can be made more efficient, lowering your water bill, reducing run-off and eliminating waste. Waterwise habits like these will result in a healthier lawn and landscape, in addition to conserving water.

1. Adapt your watering schedule to the weather and the season. Familiarize yourself with the settings on your irrigation controller. Adjust the watering schedule regularly based on current weather conditions.
2. Properly schedule the run times for each individual zone in your irrigation system. "Scheduling" accounts for the type of sprinkler, sun or shade exposure and the soil type for the different areas in your yard. Rarely will you run each zone in your system for the same amount of time.
3. Inspect your system monthly. Check for leaks, broken or clogged heads, and other problems, or hire an irrigation professional to regularly check your system. Clean drip irrigation filters as needed and make sure to check for clogged emitters.
4. Adjust your sprinkler heads. Correct obstructions that prevent sprinklers from distributing water evenly. Make sure water is not hitting the pavement, driveways or buildings.
5. Get a professional system audit. Hire a professional to conduct an irrigation audit and uniformity test to make sure areas are being watered evenly. This can be especially helpful if you notice areas being under-watered or see brown spots. The Irrigation Association maintains an online list of IA Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditors.
6. Consider "smart" technology. Climate-based "smart" controllers like the Rain Bird ET Manager evaluate weather conditions and then calculate and automatically adjust your irrigation schedule to meet the specific watering needs of your landscape.
7. Install a rain shutoff sensor -- inexpensive and effective. Required by law in many states, these money-saving sensors turn off your sprinkler system in rainy weather and help to compensate for natural rainfall. These devices can be easily retrofitted to almost any system.
8. Consider low volume drip irrigation for plant beds, shrubs and trees. Install micro irrigation for gardens, trees and shrubs. Micro irrigation includes point source drip emitters, dripline or emitter tubing, micro sprays, micro-sprinklers, and bubbler irrigation that irrigates slowly and directly to the plant roots which minimizes evaporation, runoff and overspray. Learn more about Drip Irrigation.
9. Water at the optimum time. Water early in the morning when the sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cool - between 5-10 am - to reduce evaporation. You can lose as much as 30% of water to evaporation by watering mid-day.
10. Water only when needed. Saturate root zones and let the soil dry. Watering too much and too frequently results in wasted water, shallow roots, weed growth, disease and fungus.

The best advice for a healthy, drought- and stress-tolerant lawn and landscape: use less water. These tips will help keep more money in your wallet instead of sending it down the drain.

Be sure to check with your local water agency for any restrictions in watering your yard and garden. To learn more about water-efficient automatic sprinkler systems, or for more water-savings tips, please visit www.rainbird.com.

Cinco Ranch MUD #9 and Cinco MUD #1 have arranged to make available, to all Cinco Residents, printed copies of the Water Smart Pamphlets in the lobby of the Associations Office.

Please contact us if you have any questions...
WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

How can you use water responsibly and also maintain a beautiful, healthy yard and garden?

These practical tips will help you efficiently accomplish both, leaving you more time to enjoy your landscape. Read on to learn more...

Efficient Water Use Tips for Your Landscape

Water wisely.
The efficient way to water is a few times for shorter periods, with 15-minute breaks in between. This allows water sufficient time to soak in and helps prevent wasteful runoff.

Water on time.
The ideal time to water is in the morning between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. Later in the day, water can be wasted due to wind drift and evaporation; watering at night will cause grass to remain wet which can allow fungus to grow.

Water at the roots.
Low-volume drip irrigation is recommended when watering individual trees, flowerbeds, potted containers or other non-grass areas. This efficient method reduces water waste due to evaporation or runoff.

Water by zones.
Divide your landscape into separate irrigation zones. This way grass can be watered separately and more frequently than groundcover plants, shrubs and trees.

Water only what grows.
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, make sure the sprinklers are adjusted properly to avoid the wasteful watering of sidewalks and driveways.

Make inspections. Routinely check your sprinklers to make sure everything is working properly; a clogged sprinkler or a broken line doesn't benefit your landscape or your water bill.

Be flexible. Adjust your automatic sprinkler system as the weather and seasons change. Or better yet, install a shut-off device that automatically detects rain, which allows you to take advantage of the water nature provides without having to pay for it.

Be sure to check with your local water agency for any restrictions in watering your yard and garden. To learn more about water-efficient automatic sprinkler systems, or for more water-savings tips, please visit www.rainbird.com.

Cinco Ranch MUD #9 and Cinco MUD #1 have arranged to make available, to all Cinco Residents, printed copies of the Water Smart Pamphlets in the lobby of the Associations Office.

Please contact us if you have any questions...
WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

Posted: Monday, June 09, 2008

WATER SMART: Rain Bird I-Tip: 5 Fast Irrigation Fixes

Summer is fast approaching and so is the relentless summer sun that can take a toll on your lawn and garden. A quick, weekly check of your irrigation system will help ensure you don't run into bigger problems later on.

Here are a few simple suggestions to help keep your sprinkler system in top shape.

After mowing, use the "manual" setting on your sprinkler timer to turn on each sprinkler station for a couple minutes at a time. Then walk around and visually check for these potential problems:

1. Misaligned heads: Adjust any sprinkler heads that may have shifted and are watering the street, patio, sidewalk or driveway.
2. Obstructed heads: Taller grass around sprinkler heads may block your intended spray pattern and prevent water from reaching your lawn or other plants. Make sure you have at least 3- or 4-inch pop-up sprinklers to fully clear taller grass. You may also need to trim back overgrown plant material that may be blocking the spray.
3. Broken parts: Look for parts that may have been broken by lawnmowers or foot traffic. Replace any broken parts, being sure to match the spray pattern and distance for peak performance.
4. Clogged nozzles: Dirt, small rocks or other debris can occasionally clog sprinkler heads. If you notice any heads that appear clogged, simply turn off the zone, unscrew the nozzle, then rinse the nozzle and filter screen in some clean water. Once cleared, replace the nozzle and filter screen, checking to make sure the spray is aligned properly.
5. Head-to-head coverage: For even, efficient watering, each sprinkler's spray should just reach the next sprinkler head. Under-spray may result in dry spots that can eventually turn brown, while over-spray wastes water.

Periodically checking your sprinklers to make sure everything is working properly will help keep your landscape looking great all summer long.

More great tips can be found at www.RainBird.com

TEXAS LAWN WATERING GUIDE

Did you know?

Landscape irrigation can account for more than 50 percent of all the water used in Texas during the summer. Unfortunately, about half of this water is wasted due to over-watering or runoff.

Soil type, landscape slope, water requirements of the turfgrass type, and sprinkler efficiency all affect how often you need to water.

Established plantings do well in the summer when watered about once a week, especially if mulch is placed around plants. Mulch reduces evaporation of water from the soil and moderates soil temperatures. Low output sprinkler heads, bubblers, or drip irrigation systems will decrease runoff and are efficient ways to apply water.

Turfgrass takes on a dull, dark appearance and leaves begin to roll when they need water. Apply enough water to wet the soil to a depth of four to six inches, reaching the plant's root system. Use a soil probe or screwdriver to determine the depth the water actually reaches.

The "TEXAS LAWN WATERING GUIDE" Pamphlet contains many tips about things you can do to reduce your water bill...

Cinco Ranch MUD #9 and Cinco MUD #1 have arranged to make available, to all Cinco Residents, printed copies of the Water Smart Pamphlets in the lobby of the Associations Office.

Please contact us if you have any questions...
WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

Be Water Smart Lawn Watering Guide Pamphlet

Helping Stressed Plants

When a plant is struggling, often times gardeners mistakenly believe that it is because the plant is not receiving enough water. This is not always the case, as plants can also suffer due to excessive water, sudden weather changes or soil problems. Read on to learn how to identify the signs of plant stress...

A plant's leaves provide the first and most obvious signs that something might be wrong. Here are some tips to help you interpret what your plants are trying to tell you:

Wilted Foliage

Wilted foliage usually means the plant is short of water, but that is not always the case. Roots growing in soil that is too wet can also cause wilting.

Adjust your sprinkler system so that the plants receive adequate but not excessive water. Throughout the spring and summer months, make sure to keep a close eye on plants that have exhibited symptoms of over watering. Warning signs include excessively moist soil surrounding the root zone, mushrooms growing in turf or flower beds and excessive moss growth.

Also, remember that plants of different ages require different levels of water. Young plants may require daily watering in the soil immediately surrounding the base of the plant. Conversely, mature trees and shrubs should not be watered near the trunk, as this may lead to root and crown disease. Mature plants should be watered as needed and moderately beneath the plants' canopy, with the sprinklers spraying water away from the tree's trunk.

Dropping Leaves

Drying and falling leaves on the inside of evergreens indicate they are aging and giving up nitrogen to the younger leaves. You'll see this on olives, oleanders, pines and most evergreen bushes. It may also indicate the leaves are not getting enough sunlight, or the plant suffered through a dry spell or shock after transplanting. As trees age, leaves do drop more. To address this issue, you may want to add supplements to your soil - consult your local nursery as to which fertilizers would work best for your soil type and plant material.

Brown, Dead Leaves

Leaves with brown and dead edges may suggest excess salts in the soil due to poor drainage or compacted soil, which is very common in the Western part of the U.S. Aerating and adding appropriate amounts of soil supplements may help your turf and plants recover from an imbalance in your soil - but consult a gardener before attempting to solve any potential soil problems.

Dead leaves suggest that the plant may have been stressed for water on a hot, dry, windy day. Dead spots on top of leaf centers, especially the exposed leaves, may also suggest sun burning. This can happen when the plant is hot and stressed for moisture, even if just for a few minutes. A little extra spot watering with a water wand in the stressed areas can help plants and grasses recover without over watering the other regions in the zone.

Dull or Bluish Leaves

Small leaves that are dull or bluish usually tell you that plants are struggling for water. This is especially true in lawns. This condition could be due to a long stretch of hot weather, or simply that your landscape is not receiving sufficient water for its needs. Adjust your irrigation timer to provide more water to zones that appear stressed, but exercise caution to prevent over watering and possible runoff. Remember to adjust your timer back to lower levels after the hot weather has passed.

PLEASE SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE WATER SMART PROGRAM BY DISPLAYING A DECAL IN THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR CAR. CONTACT CINCO MUD #9 FOR A FREE DECAL. WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

Helping Stressed Plants

When a plant is struggling, often times gardeners mistakenly believe that it is because the plant is not receiving enough water. This is not always the case, as plants can also suffer due to excessive water, sudden weather changes or soil problems. Read on to learn how to identify the signs of plant stress...

A plant's leaves provide the first and most obvious signs that something might be wrong. Here are some tips to help you interpret what your plants are trying to tell you:

Wilted Foliage

Wilted foliage usually means the plant is short of water, but that is not always the case. Roots growing in soil that is too wet can also cause wilting.

Adjust your sprinkler system so that the plants receive adequate but not excessive water. Throughout the spring and summer months, make sure to keep a close eye on plants that have exhibited symptoms of over watering. Warning signs include excessively moist soil surrounding the root zone, mushrooms growing in turf or flower beds and excessive moss growth.

Also, remember that plants of different ages require different levels of water. Young plants may require daily watering in the soil immediately surrounding the base of the plant. Conversely, mature trees and shrubs should not be watered near the trunk, as this may lead to root and crown disease. Mature plants should be watered as needed and moderately beneath the plants' canopy, with the sprinklers spraying water away from the tree's trunk.

Dropping Leaves

Drying and falling leaves on the inside of evergreens indicate they are aging and giving up nitrogen to the younger leaves. You'll see this on olives, oleanders, pines and most evergreen bushes. It may also indicate the leaves are not getting enough sunlight, or the plant suffered through a dry spell or shock after transplanting. As trees age, leaves do drop more. To address this issue, you may want to add supplements to your soil - consult your local nursery as to which fertilizers would work best for your soil type and plant material.

Brown, Dead Leaves

Leaves with brown and dead edges may suggest excess salts in the soil due to poor drainage or compacted soil, which is very common in the Western part of the U.S. Aerating and adding appropriate amounts of soil supplements may help your turf and plants recover from an imbalance in your soil - but consult a gardener before attempting to solve any potential soil problems.

Dead leaves suggest that the plant may have been stressed for water on a hot, dry, windy day. Dead spots on top of leaf centers, especially the exposed leaves, may also suggest sun burning. This can happen when the plant is hot and stressed for moisture, even if just for a few minutes. A little extra spot watering with a water wand in the stressed areas can help plants and grasses recover without over watering the other regions in the zone.

Dull or Bluish Leaves

Small leaves that are dull or bluish usually tell you that plants are struggling for water. This is especially true in lawns. This condition could be due to a long stretch of hot weather, or simply that your landscape is not receiving sufficient water for its needs. Adjust your irrigation timer to provide more water to zones that appear stressed, but exercise caution to prevent over watering and possible runoff. Remember to adjust your timer back to lower levels after the hot weather has passed.

PLEASE SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE WATER SMART PROGRAM BY DISPLAYING A DECAL IN THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR CAR. CONTACT CINCO MUD #9 FOR A FREE DECAL. WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

BE WATER-WISE OUTDOORS

Many Texas water utilities charge higher rates during the summer or increase rates in increments based on use. Reducing your outdoor water use by following these steps can produce substantial savings in your water bill.

• Determine how much water your landscape needs to stay healthy
• Use water-wise landscape maintenance practices such as proper mowing, mulching, and moderate fertilizing.
• Minimize water evaporation by using the most efficient equipment for each situation and keep the equipment well-maintained.
• Design a water-wise landscape by planting drought-tolerant plants that are native or well adapted to the Texas climate.

This pamphlet will answer these questions...

When should I water?

How often should I water?

How long should I water?

What should I water?

How long should my grass be?

Cinco Ranch MUD #9 and Cinco MUD #1 have arranged to make available, to all Cinco Residents, printed copies of the Water Smart Pamphlets in the lobby of the Associations Office.

Please contact us if you have any questions...
WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

Be Water Smart Outdoors pamphlet

TOP WATER SMART TIPS IN AND AROUND THE HOME

OUTDOOR TIPS

Don't over water your lawn. One inch of water per week in the summer will keep most Texas grasses healthy. To determine how long you should run your sprinklers, place straight-edged cans at different distances away from the sprinkler and time how long it takes to fill an average of 1 inch of water in each can. (one or two pound coffee cans are perfect, but any size will work)

Use lots of mulch around your shrubs and trees. It will retain moisture, reduce run-off, moderate soil temperatures and help with weed control.

The "TOP WATER SMART TIPS IN AND AROUND THE HOME " Pamphlet contains many tips about things you can do to reduce your water bill...

Cinco Ranch MUD #9 and Cinco MUD #1 have arranged to make available, to all Cinco Residents, printed copies of the Water Smart Pamphlets in the lobby of the Associations Office.

Please contact us if you have any questions...
WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

Be Water Smart In and Around the Home Pamphlet

BE WATER SMART INDOORS

Why?

According to the Texas State Water Plan, Texas' existing water sources will meet only 75 percent of the projected water demand by 2050. Single-family residential indoor water use in the U.S. is an average of 69 gallons per person per day. You can easily save 20 gallons per person per day by just installing water efficient fixtures and reducing leaks, Practicing good water use habits can save even more. Using water more efficiently will also save energy and money, and protect the quality of life for future generations. We must be responsible and save water now.

The "BE WATER SMART INDOORS" Pamphlet contains many tips about things you can do in your home...

Cinco Ranch MUD #9 and Cinco MUD #1 have arranged to make available, to all Cinco Residents, printed copies of the Water Smart Pamphlets in the lobby of the Associations Office.

Please contact us if you have any questions...
WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

Be Water Smart Indoors Pamphlet

Irrigating Trees

Having a few trees in your yard is more than just a great way to beautify your landscape. Trees also provide shade which helps keep your yard cool, so your lawn, plants and flowers need less watering. Trees are frequently overlooked when planning an irrigation system. It is a common misconception that tree roots will naturally “grow towards water.” On the contrary, tree roots do not grow through dry soil. They require proper watering that encourages roots to grow deep and spread out to provide a sturdy base for the tree. Here are a few irrigation tips to help keep your trees healthy and vibrant:

1. In general, trees should be watered enough to penetrate the soil to a depth of at least 18 inches. The type of tree and the season will determine your watering schedule. Check with a professional landscaper if you're unsure how much water the trees in your landscape require.
2. Proper watering of new trees is very important, especially during the first year after planting. New trees require more water at the base than established trees, since new trees have not yet spread their roots out into the surrounding soil. If you have just planted a new tree, you should completely soak the root ball and the area beneath the canopy when you water. Make a basin by mounding up a ring of dirt around the tree to help direct water towards the root ball.
3. Unlike newly planted grass, trees should be watered for longer periods of time, but the watering should occur less frequently. The longer soaking will reach deeper into the soil which encourages a deeper, drought-resistant root zone.
4. It is important to remember that too much water can kill a tree as easily as too little water. Overwatering prevents tree roots from getting the oxygen they need to stay healthy. Make sure the root area is moist, but do not let the tree stand in water for more than a couple of hours before it soaks in. If you have heavy clay soil, mix some coarse compost into the soil, or raise the area to improve drainage.
5. For established and mature trees, proper irrigation continues to be important. As a tree matures, you should stop watering directly onto the base of the tree and expand the watering zone out around the tree. One way to effectively meet a tree’s watering needs is to use drip irrigation around the tree reaching out as far as the canopy. By expanding the irrigation in a loop around the tree, you will be encouraging the tree to develop an expansive and healthy root system.

We hope you've found this tip useful. For additional information, take a look at the following pages of Rain Bird's website:
www.RainBird.com

Please show support for the Water Smart program by displaying a decal. Contact Cinco MUD #9 for a free decal. WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

Installing an invisible drip system

Drip irrigation for potted plants is surprisingly simple to install and can offer a more efficient and convenient watering solution. A well designed drip system will save water, save time and prevent waste. Read on for a step-by-step guide to see just how easy it is to install drip irrigation on a patio or deck.

6 easy steps to efficiently water potted patio plants.

Efficiently watering potted plants on decks and patios has been a challenge for homeowners, contractors and designers for years. In the past, people may have avoided drip, fearing it was too difficult and complex to install in patio applications. Often they used traditional spray systems, which may have resulted in overwatering and runoff leading to property damage. The other popular choice has been manual watering with hoses and watering cans, however these were inconvenient and time consuming.

The Benefits of Drip

A drip system installed on a deck or patio is virtually invisible and hassle-free. Other benefits include:

• Healthier, more vibrant plants
• Reduced runoff and puddling
• Regular, consistent watering
• Reduced water bills
• No unsightly hoses

Installing an Invisible Drip System in 6 Easy Steps

Step 1: Install a 1/4" barb connector into the main drip line.

Step 2: Attach 1/4" tubing to the 1/4" connector and run to the pot.

Step 3: Insert 1/4" tubing through the bottom of an empty pot.

Step 4: Attach a 1/4" tee to the 1/4" line, leaving two ends open.

Step 5: Attach 1/4" Landscape Dripline (length equal to the pot diameter) around the plant stem onto the open ends of the barb tee.

Step 6: Insert the plant into the pot and fill with soil, making sure to keep the Dripline ring above the soil. Lay the Dripline ring on top of the soil around the plant. Add mulch to cover if desired.

Congratulations! You now have a virtually invisible drip system for watering your patio pots without hoses or puddles.

Complete Article in PDF format

We hope you've found this tip useful. For additional information, take a look at the following pages of Rain Bird's website:
www.RainBird.com

Please show support for the Water Smart program by displaying a decal. Contact Cinco MUD #9 for a free decal. WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

Getting the Thatch Out

This Water Conservation tip from Rain Bird explains how excess thatch build up in your lawn can reduce water efficiency and how to get rid of excess thatch.

With summertime just around the corner, it might be a good idea to break out the rake and remove excess thatch from your lawn to make sure the grass is absorbing water efficiently.

What is thatch, you ask?

Thatch is a layer of organic debris and dead grass that can build up over time between the soil surface and the green blades of your lawn. Thatch can be caused by overfertilizing, overwatering, or the overuse of fungicides and insecticides. A small amount of thatch is helpful, but too much thatch can act as a barrier that prevents vital water, air and nutrients from reaching the roots.

It is important to remove excess thatch to ensure that your lawn stays vibrant and that your sprinkler system is delivering water efficiently to the lawn where it needs it.

To determine if your lawn has too much thatch, cut out a small, triangular-shaped plug of turf several inches deep. Examine the spongy layer of material above the soil. If it is more than 3/4 to 1 inch thick, you should consider dethatching your lawn.

The best time to remove the thatch from your lawn is in early spring, preferably on a cool, dry day.

For smaller yards, you can use a sharp-tined thatch rake to manually remove the thatch out of your lawn. For larger turf areas, you might consider renting a power dethatcher (also called a vertical mower) from your local equipment rental center or home improvement warehouse. Whether you do it manually or with power equipment, both methods use sharp vertical blades to cut through the thatch layer and bring some of the dead material to the surface where it can be raked up and removed.

After you've removed the thatch and raked up all the grass and debris, apply some additional grass seed, a light covering of topsoil and a modest amount of fertilizer, then give your lawn a good watering. Within a few weeks, your lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood just in time for summer, and one of the most water-efficient as well.

Cinco Ranch MUD #9 and Cinco MUD #1 have arranged to make available, to all Cinco Residents, printed copies of the Water Smart Pamphlets in the lobby of the Associations Office.

Please contact us if you have any questions...
WaterSmart@CincoRanchPOA.com

Be Water Smart Lawn Watering Guide Pamphlet