Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division is encouraging residents who irrigate their lawns to take advantage of the summer rainy season and “watch the weather, wait to water.”

Use Natural Rain Fall for Lawn Irrigation

From July through September, yards need no more than a half-inch to three-quarters inch of water up to two times a week. If your lawn has received enough water from rainfall, turn off the irrigation system and turn it back on when needed.

The simplest way to determine if your yard needs water is to look for these visual clues:

• Grass blades are folded in half lengthwise on at least one-third of your yard
• grass blades appear blue-gray
• grass blades do not spring back, leaving footprints on the lawn for several minutes after walking on it

Follow these water conservation tips:

• If your yard is showing signs that it needs water, check your local forecast to see if rain is on the way
• use a rain gauge to determine how much rain your yard has received
• install a rain sensor on your automatic irrigation system, and make sure it’s working properly
• take full advantage of the rain – make sure gutter downspouts are directed into landscaped areas or lawn
• install a rain barrel to capture excess rainwater

According to Volusia County’s water conservation ordinance, residents may water their lawns twice a week (if necessary) until standard time resumes Nov. 1, when the once-a-week schedule will return.