Hernando County Government
CONSERVATION CALENDAR
Water conservation is a year-round goal. Conservation during the wet summer and cool winter times will help to ensure that sufficient water will be available during hot, dry periods.
The Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program (FYN) encourages, among other concepts, "right plant, right place" and implementing water-conserving lawn and
landscape practices. Tips from FYN are included for each month. Remember that all actions must comply with local water restrictions.
§ Irrigation controllers should be set for a watering frequency of every 10 to 14 days, depending on actual
§ Clean and repair irrigation components.
§ Add mulch to landscapes.
§
FYN TIP: Consider including wildlife habitats into your landscape; i.e.
§ Add compost when renovating
garden beds.
§ Convert to micro-irrigation for tree/shrub beds. Try starter kits from retailers.
§ Renovate irrigation systems to establish
§ FYN TIP: "RIGHT PLANT IN THE RIGHT PLACE."
§ Check rain shut-off device.
§ Measure water spray in irrigation zones using small cans to see that 1/2 - 3/4 inch of water is delivered per
application.
§ Flush micro-irrigation systems, clean the filter and check spray emitters to make sure the water patterns overlap.
§ FYN TIP: Use a slow-release fertilizer. Look for those that indicate "water insoluble nitrogen."
§ Check your irrigation system for leaks and/or malfunctions.
§ FYN TIP: Plant deciduous trees or
shrubs on southern exposures to allow the sun to passively heat your home in the winter.
§ Check and clean irrigation filter.
§ Use slow-release fertilizers to reduce flushes of growth that stimulate plant water demands.
§ FYN TIP: When planting new areas, don't crowd your plants. Leave room to allow growth to their mature height and spread.
§
Consider replacing some lawn areas with drought-tolerant
groundcover.
§
Replenish and expand mulch areas.
§
FYN TIP: Water only as NEEDED. Most Florida lawns are
warm-season grasses; i.e., growth slows and requires less water as
the weather turns cooler.
§ Convert tree/shrub beds to micro- irrigation and put on a separate zone from the lawn.
§ Plant trees for canopy coverage.
§ FYN TIP: Establish a "no fertilizer/no pesticide" buffer if you live on water front property. This buffer should be 10-30 feet between the yard and the shoreline.
§ Replenish mulch.
§ Consider retrofitting landscape beds with micro-irrigation.
§
Troubleshoot the entire irrigation system and clean, adjust or replace malfunctioning components.
§ FYN TIP: Consider changing unused lawn areas to landscape planting beds of drought tolerant plants. 
January
February
March
temperatures and local water
restriction schedules.
birdhouses, baths and feeders.
§ Keep irrigation frequency at every 10 to 14 days.
separate zones for lawn, annual flowers and trees and shrubs.
§ After frost danger is gone, you may need to change irrigation frequency to once per week.
April
May
June
§ Base watering frequency on plant needs.
§Try alternative water collection; i.e. rain barrels.
§ Consider enlarging mulched areas and reducing lawn areas. Plant more trees.
§ Plant drought-tolerant plants.
§ FYN TIP: Scout for insect problems. Caution: Controlling the "bad bugs" may also kill the good ones.
§ WATER ONLY WHEN PLANTS OR TURF NEED IT, NOT JUST BECAUSE IT'S YOUR DAY!
§ When establishing new plants, group them together according to their water requirements.
§ FYN TIP: Recycle yard waste (pine needles, oak leaves, grass clippings) for use as mulch in planting beds. This reduces weed growth, keeps moisture in and moderates soil temperatures.
§
With the start of the rainy season, adjust irrigation frequency based on rainfall.
§ Make sure the rain shut-off device is properly located and functioning.
§ Check and clean irrigation filter.
§ FYN TIP: Use slow-release fertilizer to reduce flushes of growth that stimulate water demand. This minimizes nutrient loss and pollution.
July
August
September
§
Consider changing your irrigation system operation to MANUAL. Water your lawn when it shows signs of wilt (leaf blades fold, turn bluish-gray in color).
§ Permanently disconnect irrigation to drought-tolerant and native plants that are established and do not require supplemental irrigation.
§ Check the rain shut-off device for proper location and operation.
§ FYN TIP: Consider applying iron
(ferrous sulfate or chelated iron) to your lawn to "green it up" instead of granular fertilizer.
§ Turn off your system on your watering day if your lawn has already received sufficient water from rainfall.
§ Irrigate according to lawn and land scape needs.
October
November
December
§
Adjust system time clocks to irrigate no more than once per week.
§Make sure your irrigation system is functioning properly.
§ Set irrigation frequency to once every 10 to 14 days.
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