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. only a small area requires water, or watering too frequently, results in shallow roots, increased susceptibility to drought (especially during the hot and dry days of July and August), and increased susceptibility to Melting-out Disease (Leaf-spot Disease). 18. Water deeply but only as needed; avoid shallow frequent waterings. Watering a lawn on a frequent, shallow basis results in death of deep roots, increasing the need to water. 19. In some instances, it may be necessary to water daily or every other day. This is especially true if the soil is very sandy as this soil texture dries out quickly. Turf on a shallow soil will likewise require more frequent irrigation. Soils should always be amended with a good quality organic matter such as compost, composted horse manure, or composted chopped straw or hay. This will help hold the soil moisture and reduce the need for frequent irrigation. 20. Water at night to reduce water loss from evaporation. Watering during the heat of the day can result in excessive levels of evaporation. Watering during the night reduces problems with turf diseases and reduces the amount of water lost from evaporation making the irrigation more efficient. 21. The most efficient and ideal time to irrigate turfgrass is between midnight and 6 A.M. Such timing, however, is difficult for all but those gardeners with an automatic sprinkler system. Gardeners not wishing to spend their night hours watering should consider watering during the day after the night moisture has been burned off by the morning sun, but not after 2 P.M. The turf must dry before nighttime dew takes over again. For further information on watering lawns, go to: http://www . coopext.colostate.edu/TRA/PLANTS/lawnwat.html 22. Don't water during windy times to reduce water loss from evaporation. Wind will also divert the water resulting in some areas getting much more water than others, and leaving dry spots. Areas of the turf that do not receive adequate moisture will require more water to stay alive. Fertilizer Application . 23. Conduct a soil test to determine the nutrient needs. A properly fertilized lawn requires less water. Applying more fertilizer than is needed can deplete other nutrients and cause deficiencies. Excessive quantities of nutrients are often as detrimental as deficiencies. Adding excess may adversely affect the availability of other nutrients that were previously in sufficient supply. For example, adding too much phosphorus may result in a deficiency of available iron both within the soil and within plants grown in the soil. Nutrient-stressed plants with deficiencies are more susceptible to insect and disease problems as well as drought stress. 24. Generally, for most Colorado lawns, apply one pound of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and fertilize lightly (one-half pound) in the spring and summer. Nitrogen fertilizer stimulates growth and increases the need for more water. (See the Fertilizer Application BMP of this Manual for more detailed guidance.) 25. Avoid the use of manure as top-dressing on lawns; applying manure can increase the need to water. Gardeners applying manure as a top dressing assume (incorrectly) that this provides the nutrient needs of the turf. Manures are very low in nitrogen with several inches of manure being necessary for each pound of nitrogen needed by the turf. Manures are typically high in salt. Adding salt to a lawn increase the need to apply more water. 26. To determine what nutrients are needed, a soil test should be conducted by a reputable soil-testing laboratory. For more information on soil testing go to: http://www ,coopext.colostate. edu/TRA/PLANTS/ soiltest.html. Mowing 27. Mow the lawn at a height of2 'li to 3 inches, removing no more than one-third of the grass blade at each mowing. The higher the lawn is mown, the deeper the roots (as long as the soil was prepared deeply). . Colorado Water Conservation Board Flood Protection. Water Supply Planning and Financing. Stream and Lake Protection Water Supply Protection. Conservation and Drought Planning