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<br />tilling the soil as deep as possible. Add 3 to 6 cubic yards of a decomposed organic matter per 1,000 <br />square feet of lawn. Use a coarse, not a fine material. While root depth is controlled in part by genetics, <br />the depth of soil preparation determines the ultimate rooting depth. Shallow soil preparation causes . <br />shallow roots. <br />7. Because of the probability of limited water supplies, delay expanding the lawn or garden space. Small <br />grass areas (turf islands) that are difficult to water, and the parts ofthe lawn that are not doing well may <br />be candidates for change. Consider transforming these areas into drought-tolerant gardens. Always <br />consider the use of xeric trees and shrubs (plants that are drought resistant or require less water) when <br />planning new garden areas. Make sure to change the irrigation system accordingly. <br />8. For a great selection of xeric plants compiled by the Colorado State UniversityIDenver Botanic Garden <br />Plant Select@ program, go to: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/psel/index.html and <br />http://www. coopext. colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/plantselect.html. <br />Turfgrass Maintenance <br /> <br />9. Kentucky bluegrass can be allowed to go "warm season dormant" without permanent and excessive <br />injury if healthy. This is a worst-case scenario option if drought conditions persist. Watering properly <br />when restrictions are lifted will allow Kentucky bluegrass to recover. Kentucky bluegrass may recover <br />even after nine months without water. <br />10. If unsure wha!.grass is in the lawn, take a sample to the local Colorado State University Cooperative <br />Extension office for identification. <br />11. Weeds always seem to thrive regardless of the conditions. Do not allow uncontrolled weeds to overtake <br />the lawn or garden. Apply the proper methods necessary to prevent weed growth such as hand-pulling or <br />careful herbicide application. Herbicides such as 2,4-D, Trimec, and Triamine are effective against the <br />broadleafweeds that often invade weak turf. Scythe is a botanical herbicide used to spot-treat weeds. <br />12. Carefully inspect the lawn at least weekly for disease and pests, correcting problems as they occur. . <br />During a year of potential high stress from drought, this becomes even more important. Early detection <br />and control of problems is essential. <br />Irrigation Practices <br /> <br />13. Delay watering in the spring; base the first watering on soil moisture content. Spring is the time of <br />maximum nutrient uptake. Watering too early in the spring cools thesoil and reduces nutrient uptake. <br />This stresses the grass and makes it more susceptible to insect and disease problems. Early spring <br />watering can also saturate the soil, reducing the oxygen available to deeper roots, which results in the <br />death of these deep roots. The loss of deep roots increases the grass's susceptibility to drought stress, and <br />increases the need for more frequent waterings. <br />14. Check the moisture content of the soil with a trowel, shovel or soil probe to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. If <br />the soil is dry, water. If the soil is moist, delay watering. <br />15. Irrigate according to the requirements of the plants, not on a fixed schedule. Apply only enough <br />irrigation to replace water loss by evapotranspiration (ET). Match irrigation application rate to soil type <br />and root depth. Avoid applying more water than can be contained in the root zone. Daily observation is <br />necessary to determine the appropriate changes to make to the irrigation system. <br />16. When turfgrass requires water, it will: <br />. turn darker than normal (it appears as if a shadow is cast on the lawn) <br />· turn blue-gray <br />. not spring back when walked on (depressions left by footprints do not bounce back) <br />. prevent the blade of a screwdriver or other such implement from penetrating into the soil any deeper <br />than 2 inches. . . <br />17. These drought symptoms can appear in patches or over the complete turf area. When only small areas <br />exhibit drought stress, water only those areas that need to be irrigated. Watering the complete lawn when <br />Colorado Water Conservation Board <br />Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and 'Financing. Stream and Lake Protection <br />Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning <br />