KEEPING YOUR LAWN ALIVE DURING DROUGHT
Homeowners know how important water is to maintaining healthy lawns. During times of drought, however, local water supplies can become so depleted that cities must enact drought contingency plans to conserve water. These plans approved by the state, set forth restrictions for water use based on water supply, lake levels and weather conditions. You can still keep your lawn in good condition even when water use is restricted.
Today, because of the prolonged heat and lack of rainfall, WCID 17 WILL BE entering Stage 2 of the Drought Contingency Plan as required by the State, September 6, 2011. WCID 17 is requesting your continued help in getting out the word to your residents that everyone needs to help reduce their water use by 15-20%. Also, please let homeowners know that it will be okay for their lawn to be dormant during this drought, just to maintain the life of all landscaping and that hand watering of trees and plants may be necessary.
My wife and I live on Meadowlark and I wanted to take the time to share some information with you as a warning. A few weeks ago I was working in the yard and around the house. I was in and out of the garage and had left the garage door open as a result. During a 20 minute or so period while I was in the house, someone entered the open garage and stole a pressure washer in the middle of the day. I drive through the community frequently and notice that a lot of residents are also working out of their garages.
Here are the most important steps you can take to protect your oaks:
* Paint all wounds on oaks immediately.
* Prune when the risk is low:
o Freeze for your trees, or . . .
o Sweat for your shade.
o Never prune February through June!
* Destroy infected red oaks before they make spores.
* Beware oak wilt-infected firewood.