Follow these rules for watering new lawns and landscaping. Note that all watering must be accomplished before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Turfgrass

Under the Severe Water Shortage declaration, the establishment period for new sod, plugs, and turfgrass is limited to a period of 30 calendar days. On days 1-15, beginning the day of installation, you may water any day of the week. On days 16-30, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Following this period, all turfgrass is considered established, and must follow the restrictions outlined above.

Landscaping (other than turfgrass)

the establishment period is limited to 60 calendar days. On days 1-30, beginning the day of installation, you may water any day of the week. On days 31-60, even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Sprinkler System or Hand Water

New plant material must cover at least 50% of an irrigation zone in order to water with an in-ground sprinkler system during the initial establishment period. If not, the new plant material must be hand watered. (Example: If you purchased one flat of grass plugs to place throughout your front yard to fill in bare spots, this would not cover 50% of an irrigation zone. Hand watering would be required.) Even if you water by hand, you must follow the same guidelines for new lawn and landscaping establishment.

Also, only those zones containing 50% new plant material may be watered, not the entire yard. (Example: If you had your entire front yard re-sodded, but not your backyard, only those zones covering the front yard could be run during the establishment period. The backyard zones would have to remain on the regular watering schedule. Most irrigation timers have an A and B program. Program A can be set for the regular watering. Program B can be programmed for multiple days to only water those zones containing the new plant material during the establishment period. After the establishment period has ended, be certain to clear all information from Program B, as these irrigation controllers are notorious for resetting after a power outage or spike and running all programs at the same time, even if Program B is turned off.

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