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Davis Journal

Water conversation remains critical for state

Jul 14, 2022 01:15PM ● By Tom Haraldsen

(Editor’s Note—This is one of our continuing series of stories as part of our Davis Journal Water Watchers campaign)

Utah’s drought has led to plenty of water use restrictions this summer, and turfgrass specialists with the USU Extension in Kaysville are emphasizing ways to help yards as well as conserve water. 

“We all need to conserve in every way possible so that we have enough water for public consumption, instream flows, and agricultural production,” said USU’s Kelly Kopp. “Scheduling landscape irrigation according to plant water needs will reduce water waste, and proper irrigation encourages deeper root growth and healthier, more drought-tolerant plants.”

Urban landscape irrigation accounts for up to 65% of the annual municipal water use, and much of that is applied in excess of what plants actually need. Because of the drought, some areas of Utah are currently recommending that home and business owners irrigate just twice a week.

“We recommend ½ inch of water with each irrigation, or 1 inch of irrigation per week,” Kopp said. “It will be tempting to water more, but that amount is more than sufficient to keep grass alive. Though the grass will go dormant during the heat of the summer with these restrictions, it is a completely normal biological process, and grass will recover as temperatures cool.”

Kopp said with water being limited, it’s important to prioritize which plants to water first.

First would be trees. Trees provide shade, help cool your home and produce oxygen. They are the most valuable plants in a landscape.

Next are shrubs, which filter dust and pollution from the air and help dampen traffic noise.

Perennials would be third. Over time, perennial plant roots help improve landscape soil.

Priority #4: annuals. Annuals provide pollen for bees and other pollinators as well as food for hummingbirds. They also add bright colors and interest to the landscape.

Then comes turfgrass. Of all landscape plants, grasses are the toughest. They will enter dormancy during drought and high temperatures and recover when conditions improve.

“We have heard of recommendations to plant water-wise landscapes to save water, which is a great idea, but now is not the time to plant,” Kopp said. “Wait until fall when it’s cooler since we don’t have the water to establish new landscapes right now.” 

To assist homeowners, businesses, agricultural producers, and others, USU Extension created a drought information website, drought.usu.edu, that is updated regularly. Also available is USU’s Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping website, extension.usu.edu/cwel/, which includes information on water-wise and native plants, sustainable turfgrass research, and urban water conservation. λ