CRC_SlowTheFlowPhase1_FinalReport

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infiltration rate of water which affects the frequency and duration that watering is needed. Root depth measurements are also taken from a soil sample. For a healthy lawn roots should be a minimum of 6 inches deep. This is accomplished by deep infrequent watering that greatly enhances a lawns ability to withstand extreme;: temperatures and increased intervals between watering. Provide an appropriate watering schedule: Using data collected during the audit, an appropriate watering schedule: is developed for the customer for their current irrigation system. Watering intervals change throughout the season because the water requirements change for plants as seasons progress. Through analysis of historic Evapotranspiration (ET) data, average irrigation pressure, and soil type, it has been determined that turf should be watered approximately every four days in May, every three days in June, July and August, every six days in September and every ten days in October or until the end of the irrigation season. The duration of watering should be kept the same, with only the intervals between watering changing. For areas with clay soil, cycling during watering is also recommended. The term cycling refers to running sprinklers repeatedly within an irrigation interval to allow for better water absorption. When a system is cycled, individual zones are turned on and off multiple times within an irrigation interval with rest periods between each cycle, allowing the water to percolate deeper into the soil profile. Wben turf is grown on clay soil or planted on slopes, water infiltrates soil more slowly than it is delivered!, causing runoff or puddling, creating waste, and preventing the turf from receiving all the moisture and oxygen it requires. Cycling allows roots to grow more deeply into the soil profile, increases drought tolerance and disease resistance. For cycling to work, the time clocks controlling the zones must be capable of being programmed to cycle. Example of a watering schedule for a spray zone with clay soil and a PR of .9"/hr. May 1.5 3 12 June 2 3 12 July .2 3 12 August 2 3 12 Se tern ber 1 3 12 36 36 36 36 36 54 72 72 72 36 Homeowner edU(:ation: All results and findings are presented to the homeowner in a report and explained thoroughly at the time of the audit. Auditors stress the importance of and reasoning behind landscapelirrigation best management practices (BMP's). In the instance that an irrigation system is found to be performing well, BMP information is still provided as the high performance may be coincidental. 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .