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Water District Advises Frugal Lawn Watering

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By SHERRI LONON

In The Loop

Published: February 5, 2009

When the temperatures drop and winter really sets in, lawns don't need to be watered nearly as much. In fact, holding out and watering once every 10 to 14 days can save money and water.

With drought conditions continuing, that's the message the Southwest Florida Water Management District is trying to drive home with its Skip A Week campaign.

We're asking people to consider skipping a week if they check their lawn and it's holding up well, said Robyn Felix, a district spokeswoman. The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has done extensive research, and their research shows that in the winter, a lawn goes dormant and only needs water every 10 to 14 days.

Though most lawns can withstand periods without water, Felix does caution people to look before they leap. She advises inspecting grass blades to make sure they are healthy before skimping on water.

"If the grass blades are folded or they have a blue-gray appearance, you do need to water," she said.

B.J. Jarvis, executive director of the Pasco County Extension Office, says it is acceptable and even beneficial to give lawns a watering break during months of colder weather.

"It's fine," she said. "At this time of the year, plants of all kinds are less demanding and the temperatures are lower. We definitely support that skip a week philosophy. It's always too easy for us all to set those irrigation systems and forget them."

Jarvis said homeowners may want to reassess the situation in mid-March. "That's when plants start kicking in to higher gear."

However, once a week watering restrictions still will be in place. That means homeowners, to avoid fines, will need to know their set watering days and times. Information on Pasco County's watering restrictions can be found online at www.pascocountyfl.net.

For more water-saving ideas, visit www.watermatters.org.

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