Can't keep up

[kirk1701]

I spent the better part of the weekend with the water-hose on, moving from one zone to the next with pulsating sprinkles and the other kind that go back and forth.

I've created a monster

Literally guys something has to give, just looked at the hill in the front yard and its dry again and can see the brown in the grass. No rain in sight and at this point I'm like no matter how much I water even if I keep a hose going 24 hours won't be enough, not to mention a $200 a month water bill coming

OH YEA!! City water

Drought has already been mentioned, burning bans in effect and its just a matter of time before water restrictions are put in place so I'm fighting an uphill losing battle.

Question:
If I give up on watering the lawn, focus on not loosing any shrubs and bushes will the grass go dormant and come back fine this fall when this pattern changes or will I loose it totally?

[agrostis]

Yes, you can cut way back on that watering and your grass will come back in the fall. I assume we are talking about fescue. That grass is supposed to be mostly dormant in the summer. This is where well established root system's come into play. I woudn't worry about drought stress until it hasn't rained for a month or more.

[kirk1701]

Originally Posted by agrostis

Yes, you can cut way back on that watering and your grass will come back in the fall. I assume we are talking about fescue. That grass is supposed to be mostly dormant in the summer. This is where well established root system's come into play. I woudn't worry about drought stress until it hasn't rained for a month or more.

Thanks agrostis
Think I'll give this a try and cut back on some of this water

I've always had some dry spells, usually August before this starts and 1 or 1-1/2 month isn't so bad but never this early. If I can keep the plants, roses, shrubs, grape vines and garden going and let the grass go, hey

Some pics here to see the monster I created
Just kept growing each year and add this add that, oh one more bush won't hurt

Yea Right.
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=380540

[Teach123]

First of all, I just looked at your pics. GORGEOUS lawn my friend. From one home-owner to another....Very commendable that you are able to keep such a great stand of turf on such a huge area!

As far as dormancy. Another comment above was correct. Cut back on the water and it should be fine in the fall. However, it really depends on how mature the grass is. Grass that isn't established will simply die and disintegrate in the heat. In order for grass to go dormant, it has to be established with a strong, healthy root system. It's funny...here in central Illinois we are in the 90's with no rain in site. My Rainbirds are fostering my high water bill, but it's because my lawn was just reseeded last fall with some new (and expensive) cultivars of KBG. I can't let it dry out or I am back to square one. Local utility officials are already foreshadowing the need for water restrictions and are telling people to let their lawns go dormant and they will come back in September. I can just imagine the horror this fall when there are hundreds of pissed off homeowners who have dead grass!

One suggestion: A few summers ago, a family member of mine put in an irrigation system using ground water. He also has a huge property. But, we dug a well and ran the pvc and installed heads only in the "problem areas" which were mostly on slopes. It wasn't cheap by any means, but seems to do the trick. No more water and sewer bills and no more moving sprinkers around.

Keep the pictures coming. I would be interested to know what the turf looks like later in the season without irrigation. At this point, I'll do a rain dance for the both of us!

[Smallaxe]

Another important step is to let it grow long enough to hold moisture in its leaves, before shutting down the irrigation completely... the grass can't be so long that it is falling over on its neighbor, but definately longer than the typical cut... I haven't mowed unirrigated lawns for 3 or 4 weeks now...

[kirk1701]

Thanks guys

As for the turf being established YES Thank God, its 3 or 4 years now and counting but I do over seed each fall, put out 100 Lbs of seed.

Will be a good year to aerate as planned that anyhow but now I know I'm going to have some reseeding anyhow this year regardless.

YES again Smallaxe, I cut at 4" on June 17 and that's almost 2 weeks ago now and barely took off anything then. Actually, I just used the riding mower to put the tracks on the grass as they provide a guide for when I spray fungicide and I applied heritage the 22nd.

Ok, putting her to sleep so I'll let you all know.
Plus, if dormant I don't have to 1. Pay extra water bill. 2. skip next months fungicide and use the funds from both this fall renovating

[kirk1701]

Now whats going to be funny here is if I can bare to watch it go dormant, even funnier to see if my mom gives in before I do and say's "don't let it die Joe"

This yard has become like a kid and I care for it just as much so watching it go dormant will be hard

[Smallaxe]

You can do what I do with non-irrigated lawns while the h.o.s are gone... I water just enough to keep it going,,, but that doesn't mean 1/4" at a time...

I let the ground dry out alot b4 I give it a good soaking... then as the holidays arrive, I water it all back to green...

[kirk1701]

Ok here's a question for you thats been posed to me, due to cultural practices we all water during the day so the foliage is dry at night therefore preventing or limiting the chance of fungus.

I've been watering during the day, 95 degree's but how much of that is evaporating and would I get better watering in the ground watering at night?

[kirk1701]

http://www.wbko.com/weather

And the weird part; 20% humidity? Normally this comes with 65-70% humidity