How can lawns save water?

Water factor is the key factor affecting the survival, growth and appearance quality of lawns in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid arid areas. In order to maintain good growth of lawns in these areas, irrigation and water replenishment are essential. However, people can achieve lawn water saving in many ways. There are three main ways to save lawn water: engineering water saving, technical water saving and plant water saving.

Engineering water saving mainly includes the reasonable design and installation of irrigation and sprinkler devices to reduce the ineffective waste of irrigation water during transportation and spraying. Reasonable construction or renovation of lawn beds to reduce deep seepage and excessive evaporation of irrigation water. Strictly control the design of sprinkler irrigation intensity to avoid surface water accumulation or runoff. Use treated wastewater or surface water as water source.

Technical water saving
1. Reasonable irrigation system to determine the optimal irrigation amount. In specific areas, irrigation should be carried out according to the minimum water demand of the lawn. Monitor the moisture status of lawn soil, atmosphere or lawn grass, and irrigate at the right time.

2. Maintenance and management measures (1) Raise the lawn mower blade by 1.3 to 2.5 cm. Taller lawn grass has deeper roots. Because the soil dries from the surface downward, the roots can more easily absorb water at depth. The higher the stubble, the greater the leaf area and the stronger the transpiration. However, the advantage of the deeper root system makes up for the disadvantage of the larger leaf area. The larger leaves shade the soil surface, reduce soil evaporation, and protect the rhizomes from high temperature damage.

(2) Reduce the number of mowings. The water loss at the wound after mowing is significant. The more times the grass is mowed, the more wounds appear. The blades of the mower should be kept sharp. Mowing with a blunt blade will cause rough wounds and take longer to heal.

(3) Less nitrogen fertilizer should be applied during droughts. A high ratio of nitrogen fertilizer makes the grass grow faster, requires more water, and makes the leaves green and juicy, which makes them more prone to wilting. Potassium-rich fertilizers should be used to increase the drought resistance of the grass.

(4) If the thatch layer is too thick, it can be cut with a vertical mower. A thick thatch layer makes the grass roots shallower and slows the water infiltration rate, reducing the water utilization rate of the lawn.

(5) Use a soil core punch to ventilate the soil, increase permeability, and improve stem and root growth.

(6) Use less herbicides, as some herbicides can cause certain damage to the roots of lawn plants.

(7) When building a new lawn, apply organic matter and soil-improving materials to increase the soil’s water-holding capacity.

(8) Before irrigation, pay attention to the weather forecast to see if it will rain. Use a rain gauge to accurately measure rainfall. When rainfall is abundant, delay or reduce irrigation.

(9)Appropriately apply wetting agents and water-retaining agents. They have unique water-absorbing, water-storing, and water-retaining properties, can absorb water repeatedly, and can quickly absorb and store rainwater or irrigation water in the soil, thereby reducing water loss and reducing the number of irrigations.