Water restrictions

[lpkshop]

Are you aware of any restrictions on watering the lawn? Neighbor told me only twice a week. Can't find any info. I'm in Sumter county

[lpkshop]

Lawn watering is limited to twice per week.
Thanks for sending me the following:
(Thought I'd share with you)
Lawn watering days and times are as follows unless your city or county has a different schedule or stricter hours in effect.
Even addresses may water on Thursday and/or Sunday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Odd addresses may water on Wednesday and/or Saturday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Hand watering and micro-irrigation of plants (other than lawns) can be done on any day and at any time.

[villagetinker]

Interesting since Deans just told me to go to 3 times per week, also in sumter county.....

[tommy steam]

Just a question as I don't know. Is there anyone who inforces the watering rules?

[kcrazorbackfan]

Just a question as I don't know. Is there anyone who inforces the watering rules?

The "Water Police" :police:

[Mleeja]

Geez, I am really out of step. I water on Tuesday and Friday and have an even number! :shocked:

[ditka41]

Two days is correct. A watering schedule should be just inside the door of your irrigation controls. It shows you the approved times and which two days to water based on your location. You should also find the watering zones identified by number, and indicating the location for each zone of your lawn. This information is easily accessible by simply opening the door of the panel.

[villagetinker]

Two days is correct. A watering schedule should be just inside the door of your irrigation controls. It shows you the approved times and which two days to water based on your location. You should also find the watering zones identified by number, and indicating the location for each zone of your lawn. This information is easily accessible by simply opening the door of the panel.

You are correct, I also went to the sumter county website, and found the exact details on when I should be watering, but it is interesting that the company I am using to do my lawn work "suggested" I go to 3 times per week......

[Mleeja]

I don't think it would be to much of a strech to suggest these guidelines are followed to closely...

[redwitch]

Given the dry conditions and the early heat we've experienced, most lawn companies are recommending at least three times a week. However, the water company has decreed that two times a week is the max and if you use more, your bill will quickly skyrocket. The reclamation ponds do not have an infinite amount of water in them and Florida has just gotten out of a drought situation. As has been mentioned, you can always hand water (your outdoor spigots are linked to the house water, not the reclaimed water, of which there is more water). Of course, those in the northern part of TV are not quite so limited since they don't use reclaimed water.

[RickeyD]

I just changed from two to three days per week. My OCD can't handle a lawn not uniformly green or brown, I decided to go green. [emoji106]🏻

[Bobcuse]

After 13 years here in TV, I finally found a watering schedule (used by many many residents) that keeps my zoysia lawn green and uses less water than any of my prior schedules of 2 times per week or 3 times per week during near drought conditions (like now). It relies on the theory that a little water daily keeps the roots from drying out. To avoid using more water than you currently use, take your minutes per zone currently times 2 (allowed watering times per week) and divide by 7 (days per week). The resulting number is your minutes per day of watering per zone. Eg; If I am watering 35 minutes per zone twice a week = 70 total minutes per zone per week divided by 7 = 10 min per zone daily. I didn't believe this would work because landscaping guys and fertilizer guys always said to water 35-45 min per zone because the roots are so deep. I tried it and my lawn stays green everyday. I then played with it and found I could reduced the minutes for different zones and the lawn still stays green. I still get stress areas but they are much smaller than before and my water consumption is lower than comparative months in prior years. The water police would think I am abusing the system but I am actually using less water and have a healthier lawn. Kinda like healthier people eat smaller meals more frequently maybe :-)

[ajbrown]

After 13 years here in TV, I finally found a watering schedule (used by many many residents) that keeps my zoysia lawn green and uses less water than any of my prior schedules of 2 times per week or 3 times per week during near drought conditions (like now). It relies on the theory that a little water daily keeps the roots from drying out. To avoid using more water than you currently use, take your minutes per zone currently times 2 (allowed watering times per week) and divide by 7 (days per week). The resulting number is your minutes per day of watering per zone. Eg; If I am watering 35 minutes per zone twice a week = 70 total minutes per zone per week divided by 7 = 10 min per zone daily. I didn't believe this would work because landscaping guys and fertilizer guys always said to water 35-45 min per zone because the roots are so deep. I tried it and my lawn stays green everyday. I then played with it and found I could reduced the minutes for different zones and the lawn still stays green. I still get stress areas but they are much smaller than before and my water consumption is lower than comparative months in prior years. The water police would think I am abusing the system but I am actually using less water and have a healthier lawn. Kinda like healthier people eat smaller meals more frequently maybe :-)

Not trying to argue the point. I am not a 'grass guy'. I find what you are doing interesting and am glad it is working. The only point of my post is for discussion. Your technique goes against everything I have ever read about watering Zoysia grass.

Here is just one article of many:

Gardening Help FAQs (http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/gardening-help-faqs.aspx?questionid=352&afmid=4462)

From the article:

Zoysia grass is relatively drought tolerant and does not need frequent watering. Frequent light watering can cause shallow roots, build up of thatch, and increased susceptibility to insects and disease.

To avoid the pitfalls of frequent light watering, it’s much better to water your zoysia lawn thoroughly once per week or every other week rather than several times per week. Each watering should penetrate the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches.

Their goal may not be green color, it may be to be as healthy as possible? Just learning as I go like many here...

I believe some issues in my lawn are caused by mowing equipment being too big for such a small area. I need to move to hand mowing, just have not made the commitment yet. I have had my 'lawn mower guy' since 2007 and hate to break up as he is a nice young man and I have no direct evidence it will be better when I hand mow :shrug:

[simpkinp]

If we have watering restrictions and are worried about over drafting the retention ponds and water table, why is the county and water district still allowing thousands of new building permits?

[downeaster]

Not trying to argue the point. I am not a 'grass guy'. I find what you are doing interesting and am glad it is working. The only point of my post is for discussion. Your technique goes against everything I have ever read about watering Zoysia grass.

Here is just one article of many:

Gardening Help FAQs (http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/gardening-help-faqs.aspx?questionid=352&afmid=4462)

From the article:

Zoysia grass is relatively drought tolerant and does not need frequent watering. Frequent light watering can cause shallow roots, build up of thatch, and increased susceptibility to insects and disease.

To avoid the pitfalls of frequent light watering, it’s much better to water your zoysia lawn thoroughly once per week or every other week rather than several times per week. Each watering should penetrate the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches.

Their goal may not be green color, it may be to be as healthy as possible? Just learning as I go like many here...

I believe some issues in my lawn are caused by mowing equipment being too big for such a small area. I need to move to hand mowing, just have not made the commitment yet. I have had my 'lawn mower guy' since 2007 and hate to break up as he is a nice young man and I have no direct evidence it will be better when I hand mow :shrug:

Does anyone know how many inches of surface water it takes to penetrate soil 6 to 8 inches? I don't.

[graciegirl]

If we have watering restrictions and are worried about over drafting the retention ponds and water table, why is the county and water district still allowing thousands of new building permits?

As far as I know, the whole state of Florida has water restrictions.

http://miami.about.com/od/natureenvironment/a/wateringrules.htm

http://www.occonservewater.net/regulations/est-watering-guidelines

http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2012/08/new-water-restrictions-gainesville

http://www.tampagov.net/water/info/water-use-restrictions

[rubicon]

If we have watering restrictions and are worried about over drafting the retention ponds and water table, why is the county and water district still allowing thousands of new building permits?

Hi simpkinp: There was a referendum in Florida in 2012 drafted to create smart growth. The developers and real estate lobbyist, well threw water on it to burn it out. If passed residents would have had a say in growth.

You ask the same question many of us have asked since moving here. By the way I do not believe every county in Florida has a three tier pricing system but this development has a lot of pull with our water district. In fact an ex-president of the VHA is/ or was on the board and of course there is Sumter One under the developers tutelage

[graciegirl]

Hi simpkinp: There was a referendum in Florida in 2012 drafted to create smart growth. The developers and real estate lobbyist, well threw water on it to burn it out. If passed residents would have had a say in growth.

You ask the same question many of us have asked since moving here. By the way I do not believe every county in Florida has a three tier pricing system but this development has a lot of pull with our water district. In fact an ex-president of the VHA is/ or was on the board and of course there is Sumter One under the developers tutelage


Water is so much cheaper than where we came from. I think it wise to have two kinds of water: one for drinking and one for watering the lawn.

[Marigold]

Great topic.....Recently our lawns have been the main subject of discussion when the neighbors get together. We live in Buttonwood where Zoysia grass was laid down four-five years ago as the homes were built. This "Southern" variety of Zoysia requires a lot of water and does not kill the weeds or invading grasses. Here Bermuda Grass reigns supreme and our lawns are unsightly with bare spots. We are watering the requested two times a week.
So what have we as a neighborhood found out?
1. Our Zoysia sod was laid on top of builders sand, concrete pieces and even a two by four.
2. There is no soil or very little here that can support the root systems.
3. One neighbor recently complained to The Villages Warranty office who sent out the original landscaper who laid the sod at his home. The landscaper said he can remove the dead sod and replace it with new Zoysia sod to the tune of $3,000.00. Wow, dead Zoysia sod replaced every four years for that amount! Still not the solving the problem.

I have never heard my friends who have St. Augustine grass that they have bare spots, invading weeds/grasses and have to water a lot.

So can those of you with St. Augustine lawns tell us how often you have to water to maintain those GREAT looking lawns? Just curious.

[buzzy]

My ground is almost rock-hard. The lawn guy said that a deep root system doesn't apply around here. Also, over-watering just runs off, wasting the water that I am using and paying for. He recommended light watering 10-12 minutes per zone, four times a week. Also, I used to water before dawn, so the grass would not stay wet all night. He recommended watering before midnight so it does stay wet. Go figure. So far, after two weeks, I am seeing improvement.

[Shimpy]

Interesting since Deans just told me to go to 3 times per week, also in sumter county.....

Massey told me the same and said cheaper to spend more on watering than replacing sod that has died. I did this the past 5 years and had good results turning off the system if we had a good rain instead. Buy a rain gauge at Walmart for a couple bucks and you'll know how much your sprinklers put out and how much rain you got.

[graciegirl]

Great topic.....Recently our lawns have been the main subject of discussion when the neighbors get together. We live in Buttonwood where Zoysia grass was laid down four-five years ago as the homes were built. This "Southern" variety of Zoysia requires a lot of water and does not kill the weeds or invading grasses. Here Bermuda Grass reigns supreme and our lawns are unsightly with bare spots. We are watering the requested two times a week.
So what have we as a neighborhood found out?
1. Our Zoysia sod was laid on top of builders sand, concrete pieces and even a two by four.
2. There is no soil or very little here that can support the root systems.
3. One neighbor recently complained to The Villages Warranty office who sent out the original landscaper who laid the sod at his home. The landscaper said he can remove the dead sod and replace it with new Zoysia sod to the tune of $3,000.00. Wow, dead Zoysia sod replaced every four years for that amount! Still not the solving the problem.

I have never heard my friends who have St. Augustine grass that they have bare spots, invading weeds/grasses and have to water a lot.

So can those of you with St. Augustine lawns tell us how often you have to water to maintain those GREAT looking lawns? Just curious.

It is ALL laid on sand. Sand is what is the base soil for most of the villages. Ours is doing fine. I saw our Zoysia laid on sand. You have to FEED it and water it just like that guy in the kilt says. Also kill the bugs that eat at it's little roots.

[Marigold]

I have Massesy for lawn and shrubs....pests and fertilizer for over $700.00 a year so yes it is being fed.

We are not talking about sandy soil, this is PURE SAND.

[graciegirl]

I have Massesy for lawn and shrubs....pests and fertilizer for over $700.00 a year so yes it is being fed.

We are not talking about sandy soil, this is PURE SAND.

Ours would be great in a sandbox too. Glad to hear your soil is being fed. I hate when it gets all hungry.

[dbussone]

The sand is missing specific ingredients needed by the grass. The spray fertilizer doesn't replace all the required nutrients. Pellets may be necessary in many cases to provide what is needed.

[LndLocked]

Given the dry conditions and the early heat we've experienced, most lawn companies are recommending at least three times a week. However, the water company has decreed that two times a week is the max and if you use more, your bill will quickly skyrocket. The reclamation ponds do not have an infinite amount of water in them and Florida has just gotten out of a drought situation. As has been mentioned, you can always hand water (your outdoor spigots are linked to the house water, not the reclaimed water, of which there is more water). Of course, those in the northern part of TV are not quite so limited since they don't use reclaimed water.

As suggested elsewhere in this thread ..... water for the same amount of mins per week, just divided into 3 or 4 times a week and not 2.

However, we also pay the sewage surcharge on every gallon that goes though the irrigation system.

[LndLocked]

Great topic.....Recently our lawns have been the main subject of discussion when the neighbors get together. We live in Buttonwood where Zoysia grass was laid down four-five years ago as the homes were built. This "Southern" variety of Zoysia requires a lot of water and does not kill the weeds or invading grasses. Here Bermuda Grass reigns supreme and our lawns are unsightly with bare spots. We are watering the requested two times a week.
So what have we as a neighborhood found out?
1. Our Zoysia sod was laid on top of builders sand, concrete pieces and even a two by four.
2. There is no soil or very little here that can support the root systems.
3. One neighbor recently complained to The Villages Warranty office who sent out the original landscaper who laid the sod at his home. The landscaper said he can remove the dead sod and replace it with new Zoysia sod to the tune of $3,000.00. Wow, dead Zoysia sod replaced every four years for that amount! Still not the solving the problem.

I have never heard my friends who have St. Augustine grass that they have bare spots, invading weeds/grasses and have to water a lot.

So can those of you with St. Augustine lawns tell us how often you have to water to maintain those GREAT looking lawns? Just curious.


I don't know who your friends are but I can tell you from 50 years of lawn maintenance experience in Fla .... NO grass on the face of the earth requires as much water and maintenance as St. Augustine!! It needs more water, and is highly susceptible to every weed, bug and fungus in the known and charted world!!!

[Shimpy]

.

I have never heard my friends who have St. Augustine grass that they have bare spots, invading weeds/grasses and have to water a lot.

So can those of you with St. Augustine lawns tell us how often you have to water to maintain those GREAT looking lawns? Just curious.

I also live in Buttonwood with Zoysia but have had all my life before moving here St. Augustine in S. Florida. I notice Zoysia needs much more watering and doesn't fill in bad spots as well since St. Augustine creeps to fill in. The only down side I know of is St. Augustine can be infected with Chinch bugs but are easily taken care of with spraying. Last year I went to a talk with a master gardener and he asked if anyone really believes that Zoysia is better as the developer said? He said "don't believe it". Take a look at the lawns north of 466 that are St. Augustine and see how green and healthy they are compared to Zoysia.

[ajbrown]

Does anyone know how many inches of surface water it takes to penetrate soil 6 to 8 inches? I don't.

I do not either. I suspect the correct answer is, it depends on soil, how much thatch (Gardening Help FAQs (Thatch) (http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/gardening-help-faqs.aspx?questionid=144&afmid=4462)) has accumulated and other things I am unaware of.

Based on my 'un-extensive' research over the years the common recommendation is to try and lay down 1 - 1.5 inches per week.

I installed new heads out front which dispense water at a much slower rate, in theory to prevent run off. I first saw them in new homes south of 466a. It takes 90 minutes to dispense an inch based on my tuna can test.

I have found one thing for sure, nothing is as good as mother nature when it comes to watering.

[ajbrown]

stuff snipped from OP by Alan

I installed new heads out front which dispense water at a much slower rate, in theory to prevent run off. I first saw them in new homes south of 466a. It takes 90 minutes to dispense an inch based on my tuna can test.



How rude to quote oneself :024:

My point about the sprinklers I bought was that time to water is not that interesting unless you know the water dispensed. If you bought my house and set the zone to 30 minutes based on past experience with different heads the grass would be dead.

Off to golf, hopefully Glenview knows how to grow grass better than I.

[Bosoxfan]

I thought I read somewhere that some were watering their lawns daily & not using any more water then when they were watering twice a week.This is an example of the formula they use. Let's say zone 0ne on my system ran twice a week at 35 minutes.This equals 70 minutes a week . What is being done by some is they would run that same zone for 10 minutes a day also equaling 70 minutes a week. Those that are doing this say their lawns are greener then those running the conventional twice a week. My question is this. What time of day would you run your irrigation if you were to run it 7 days a week for 10 minutes?

[LndLocked]

I thought I read somewhere that some were watering their lawns daily & not using any more water then when they were watering twice a week.This is an example of the formula they use. Let's say zone 0ne on my system ran twice a week at 35 minutes.This equals 70 minutes a week . What is being done by some is they would run that same zone for 10 minutes a day also equaling 70 minutes a week. Those that are doing this say their lawns are greener then those running the conventional twice a week. My question is this. What time of day would you run your irrigation if you were to run it 7 days a week for 10 minutes?

so that the last zone's run time ends at about 6am

[jebartle]

Could you mean "walk mow", hand mowing could be tedious...giggle...






Not trying to argue the point. I am not a 'grass guy'. I find what you are doing interesting and am glad it is working. The only point of my post is for discussion. Your technique goes against everything I have ever read about watering Zoysia grass.

Here is just one article of many:

Gardening Help FAQs (http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/gardening-help-faqs.aspx?questionid=352&afmid=4462)

From the article:

Zoysia grass is relatively drought tolerant and does not need frequent watering. Frequent light watering can cause shallow roots, build up of thatch, and increased susceptibility to insects and disease.

To avoid the pitfalls of frequent light watering, it’s much better to water your zoysia lawn thoroughly once per week or every other week rather than several times per week. Each watering should penetrate the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches.

Their goal may not be green color, it may be to be as healthy as possible? Just learning as I go like many here...

I believe some issues in my lawn are caused by mowing equipment being too big for such a small area. I need to move to hand mowing, just have not made the commitment yet. I have had my 'lawn mower guy' since 2007 and hate to break up as he is a nice young man and I have no direct evidence it will be better when I hand mow :shrug:

[Bosoxfan]

so that the last zone's run time ends at about 6am

thank you...I'm going to give it a try...

[rubicon]

Water is so much cheaper than where we came from. I think it wise to have two kinds of water: one for drinking and one for watering the lawn.

Hi GG:

I have lived in a number of states over the years, some locations where two separate meters were required (outside/inside) and The Villages is the most expensive. Perhaps you are not surpassing the first of three tiers. a three tier system exists here but as I recollect in reading those mansions on the waterways farther south have only one tier.

A three tier system tells me The Villages is concerned about residential use. Yet our water district allows Nestle to pull millions of gallons from our water sources free . When Florida residents pushed for intelligent growth developers and real estate people threw millions of dollars to get it defeated.

so with a three tier system intent on intimidating people to conserve while developers and realtor get richer build more of a demand for water well......

and I haven't even introduced what smart meters are going to do to control the way people will live........Hey the lady on Fourth Ave Apt A stop washing your clothes twice a week and flush only after the second use. How many times we got to tell you:D

Your conscious
Water Department

[snowbird22154]

If we have watering restrictions and are worried about over drafting the retention ponds and water table, why is the county and water district still allowing thousands of new building permits?

Could it be all about new homes & the almighty $$ vs.... AFTER THE FACT of "then" raising water rates?

:swear:

[Baltimore Guy]

How much was your last water bill, I think $500.00 is a little high don't you.

[ajbrown]

Could you mean "walk mow", hand mowing could be tedious...giggle...

Good to see someone actually reads my posts, I often wonder...

Glad you got a giggle, you could be right, although I believe you can hand mow with any nice reel mower without a motor. It is a better workout than a bike ride any day. On a summer day, pre-dial 911 into cell phone and put some aspirin in your pocket before you start...

PS. sorry for thread hi-jack, but a man must defend his mower expertise
PS2. :1rotfl:

[Bobcuse]

Not trying to argue the point. I am not a 'grass guy'. I find what you are doing interesting and am glad it is working. The only point of my post is for discussion. Your technique goes against everything I have ever read about watering Zoysia grass.

Here is just one article of many:

Gardening Help FAQs (http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/gardening-help-faqs.aspx?questionid=352&afmid=4462)

From the article:

Zoysia grass is relatively drought tolerant and does not need frequent watering. Frequent light watering can cause shallow roots, build up of thatch, and increased susceptibility to insects and disease.

To avoid the pitfalls of frequent light watering, it’s much better to water your zoysia lawn thoroughly once per week or every other week rather than several times per week. Each watering should penetrate the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches.

Their goal may not be green color, it may be to be as healthy as possible? Just learning as I go like many here...

I believe some issues in my lawn are caused by mowing equipment being too big for such a small area. I need to move to hand mowing, just have not made the commitment yet. I have had my 'lawn mower guy' since 2007 and hate to break up as he is a nice young man and I have no direct evidence it will be better when I hand mow :shrug:
I also read these and other articles about how to care for zoysia but by following those expert suggestions left me with a high water bill and brown lawn 1-2 days after my watering day. This daily formula wasn't my idea...it was given to me by a neighbor and then a lawn mowing company and it works. Just try it and if it doesn't work...try something else. As far as st augustine grass vs zoysia, my last home had st agustine and it took more water and also was a constant battle with cinch bugs which will destroy a lawn very quickly. Zoysia is my choice.

[Bavarian]

You need to run water longer so water seeps into ground and roots go deep. short watering's often don't get this. Especially vital for plants.