Underconstruction

CHINO BASIN WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

TURF GRASS

Turfgrasses in lawns are some of the most popular and widely used plant materials in our landscapes. They are also some of the largest consumers of resources. They need constant maintenance such as mowing, watering, fertilizing, and pest control. To more adequately integrate lawns into an arid environment such as ours and to make them more environmentally friendly, the homeowner can follow a few simple guidelines.

§ Reduce lawn areas and expand planter beds using more drought tolerant plants.

§ Select less thirsty grasses and mow them at the correct heights. Use the longer cut for maximum water conservation and healthier turf.

· Marathon Fescue - 1 ½" to 3"

· Tifgreen (Hybrid Bermuda Grass) - ½" to 1"

· St. Augustine - 1" - 2"

· Buffalo Grass - No Mowing

· Zoysia - ¾"

§ Don't over water. Schedule irrigation times by grass type, soil type and weather. Deep watering less frequently encourages stronger, healthier turf.

§ Fertilizer - Apply smaller quantities more frequently to ensure uniform growth rates. Use composted manure and compost instead of chemical fertilizers. This will build a healthier soil, conserve moisture, and be less likely to cause water quality problems.

§ Grasscycling - Leave grass clipping on the lawn to naturally decompose. The clippings return nutrients back into the soil and prevents the overfilling of our landfills. When a lawn is mowed, watered, and fertilized correctly, grasscycling can actually produce a healthier-looking lawn.

By treating greenwaste as a resource and not as a waste product, the homeowner can contribute to a more sustainable environment within the community. A significant decrease in waste material going to the landfill can be realized. Additionally, scarce water resources are conserved, soils are improved, less pesticides and fertilizers are used resulting in less pollution, and economic savings are soon realized.