Be Water Wise This Summer
Did you know more than 50% of summer water use is on landscapes? Follow Denver Water’s simple summer watering rules from May 1 to Oct 1 to reduce waste and save money. The watering rules incorporate best practices for efficient outdoor water use that will help keep your landscape healthy. It’s a simple way for you to help protect our water supply now and in the future.
- Water during cooler times of the day — lawn watering is NOT allowed between 10am and 6pm.
- Water two days per week, adding a third day only when needed. (Watering more than three days is not allowed.)
- Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
- Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
- Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
- Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
- Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.
Longer grass is also more water efficient. Keep cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass between 2.5-3.5 inches and warm season grasses between 1-3 inches.
Contact please visit: www.DenverWater.org for additional information
Tree Circles
You may have noticed, but the HOA is having tree rings added to many trees on Homestead Parkway and throughout the neighborhood!!
Tree circles are rings around the trunk of a tree devoid of vegetation. Sod and weeds can be dug out, being careful not to damage tree roots. This should be done three times a year as grass and weeds will grow into an area of dirt without treatment. There are several reasons to establish tree circles. The primary one is to protect the trees.
Other reasons:
*It makes mowing easier
*Mowers do not have to slow down as they are away from the tree.
*The weed whip is eliminated from attacking the trees
*Grass growing against the trunk allows insects a place to hide. Tree circles eliminate this hazard.
Once rings are established wood mulch should be added to mitigate temperatures, conserve moisture, add nutrients to the root zone, and to improve the appearance of circles.
Japanese beetles Tips:
Take a bucket of soapy water and just pick ‘em off.” Plant wild roses
instead of domesticated varieties that the beetles love. If you have a small property, be wary of
pheromone traps which can draw hordes of bugs and turn your garden into a feeding ground.
Aaand … don’t expect miracles. Japanese beetles can eat 300 varieties of plants and they don’t have any predators here!
Canadian Thistle Tips:
When Canadian thistle invades our landscapes many of us feel like; “They must be stopped!”
Sorry, it’s a long-term fix. In early spring and late fall get out there and dig up those
deep thistle roots. In July, try to attack them before they start flowering and seeding. Use a weed cutter or mower. By the third year they will almost be gone!