The Bethpage Water District Board of Commissioners Chairman William J. Ellinger, Treasurer John R. Sullivan and Secretary Gary S. Bretton provide residents with advice to maintain healthy lawns while saving water. As temperatures may reach record-breaking highs this summer, the District reminds residents to be aware of overuse, particularly when tending to their yard.
“On Long Island, our lawns only need approximately one to two inches of water a week,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman William J. Ellinger. “We encourage residents to follow some helpful tips to conserve water when tending to their lawns this summer.”
For general water conservation, the Bethpage Water District offers the following suggestions:
· Install a spring-loaded shutoff nozzle on each garden hose to stop water flow when not in use
· Start a compost pile and add it to your garden, along with wood chips or peat moss to boost water retention
· Consider investing in a slow-drip irrigation system to avoid overwatering and to save money on your water bill
· Don’t water during the heat of the day (10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) when water evaporates most rapidly
To help keep lawns healthy, the Bethpage Water District shares the following tips:
· If you’re leaving footprints on your lawn, it’s time to water
· Keep the length of your lawn around 2 inches to help reduce evaporation
· When you have finished mowing, leave the clippings on the lawn to boost water retention and help the grass grow thicker.
· Prevent overwatering your lawn by marking one inch on an empty can and placing it on your lawn during watering. When the can is filled up till that mark, water can be turned off.
For more information on the Bethpage Water District, please visit bethpagewater.org, or The Bethpage Water District’s Facebook page at facebook.com/BethpageWaterDistrict.