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The next meeting of the
District Governing Board
is scheduled for
Jan. 13, 2009, at 1 p.m.
at District Headquarters
in Palatka
.

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Waterwise Florida Landscapes

Table of Contents | Search Plants

Use turf wisely

Grass can be a practical part of your landscape in the right place, for example, in a play area for children. Follow these simple tips for a healthy lawn and to reduce maintenance:

Go light on the fertilizer

Fertilization stimulates growth and increases water needs. If you do fertilize, use a slow-release product. Water-insoluble products won't be washed away like liquid or fast-release fertilizers, which can contaminate waterways through stormwater or irrigation runoff. The slow-release products stay in the soil to supply nutrients to plants on a gradual basis, over a longer period of time.

Leave short grass clippings where they fall when you mow

This reduces the lawn's need for both water and fertilizer. However, remove thick patches of clippings, which will decay and kill the grass.

Rise to new heights

That is, raise the height of your lawnmower blades to the highest setting. When you mow the grass, remove no more than one-third of the leaf blade. Cutting grass shorter than this may stress the grass and may also decrease the depth to which roots will grow, increasing the need for water. Most St. Augustine grass and bahia grass varieties should not be mowed below 3 inches in height.

Keep a sharp cutting edge

When your lawnmower blades are sharp, they give a clean cut. Grass torn and shredded by dull blades suffers stress and requires more water.

Consider alternatives to grass

Grass can be a useful plant. Use grass in areas where children or pets play, or for erosion control. In low-use areas, consider drought-tolerant-plant beds, groundcovers, mulch, walkways or other alternatives that require little or no water.

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