Water conservation is a big deal. Water waste impacts each us all, and just a few tweaks to our routines can make a positive impact.
Our water usage can increase up to 50 percent during summer because of outdoor watering. The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) provides water service to 10 counties and 2 million people in North Texas. Its WaterMyYard Program is a free tool available to neighbors via a mobile app or e-account.
WaterMyYard uses local weather station data from 17 cities to provide free weekly watering advice from Texas A&M AgriLife. This weather data allows for customizable water recommendations sent weekly for watering solutions based on the grass, soil, and sprinkler system each homeowner has.
For 2021, on average, North Texas lawns only needed watering 16 weeks out of the entire year. WaterMyYard did not recommend watering for the other 36 weeks. The Program thus helps native, long-time, and even new residents manage their water usage.
It takes the guesswork out of watering and helps keep our water reservoirs at good levels during the hot, dry summer. Not to mention, it will save you money.
Here are some other tips to help conserve water and expenses:
- Change perspectives on what a healthy lawn looks like. Don’t be afraid of a brown or tan yard. Many common North Texas grasses go dormant in summer. Once the weather cools, the grasses will green up.
- Use a soil moisture meter. This tool measures water in the soil, indicating if watering can wait.
- Pay attention to your sprinkler system. Change the program as needed and adjust misaligned spray heads.
- Clay soil in North Texas does best with a “cycle and soak” method. Run more cycles for shorter times. Clay soils need more time to soak up water to prevent wasteful run-off.
- Consider risks. Grass can get diseases from overwatering.
The best — and most affordable — water for the future is the water we can save today. Learn more at www.ntmwd.com/savewater and www.WaterMyYard.org, and follow @NTMWD on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
July is Smart Irrigation Month!
To celebrate Smart Irrigation Month, the NTMWD is teaming up with the experts at Texas A&M AgriLife to offer a free, virtual summer series to help North Texans adopt healthy lawn and landscape practices saving water, time, and resources.
July 12: Sprinkler Secrets — What the Spray!
Understanding your sprinkler system is one of the best ways to save time, money, and water in your landscape. Learn more about what sprinkler systems do, how they work, and how much water you might really be putting out. Attendees will have the opportunity to get to know their irrigation system controller, with tips on how to program their system to match with WaterMyYard recommendations.
July 19: Efficient Irrigation Systems — Easy Repairs and Trouble Shooting
The smallest fixes can make the biggest difference when it comes to your sprinkler system. In this class, learn how to adjust or replace heads and make other small repairs as needed to keep your system running smoothly. You can improve efficiency and reduce waste by preventing leaks and evaporation.
Aug 2: Beat the Heat — North Texas Summer Lawn Care Guide
Great lawn management involves adopting the right practices and implementing them at the right time. This class offers guidelines on proper care for your turfgrass lawn from spring to fall. Learn the basics on appropriate watering, fertilization, cultivation, and pest management practices year-round. Attendees will also master useful tools including the WaterMyYard program and more.
Aug 23: What’s in the Box? Demystifying Your Sprinkler Controller
Understanding your sprinkler system controller is essential to best program your sprinkler system. In this class, learn how to program your control box and incorporate watering recommendations from tools like the WaterMyYard Program.
Aug 30: Don’t Waste a Drop — Drip Irrigation Basics
Drip irrigation is one of the most efficient ways to water plants. Learn how to save water with this overview of drip irrigation, including how and where drip can be used in the landscape, different components used to build your custom drip system, and tips for making simple conversions.
For more information on the classes visit: www.ntmwd.com/Classes or scan the QR code here with your smartphone:
