Can you keep your grass green during California drought? Tips for Sacramento homeowners

California cities are enforcing water-saving measures, summer heat has crept in early and your lush green grass is probably starting to wither.

As reported by the California’s drought information system, 40% of the state is experiencing extreme drought. There is not enough water for wildlife, agriculture and city needs. Among the 40% is Sacramento County, which is seeing its first driest year in more than 120 years.

In response to the record dryness, the city of Sacramento is under a “Water Alert,” asking residents to cut back on water use by 15% and to follow a seasonal watering schedule. Fines for water waste have doubled.

According to the city, from March 1 to Oct. 31, residents with even numbered addresses can water on Wednesdays and Sundays, while odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesday and Saturday. From Nov. 1 to Feb. 28, residents can only water their landscape once on the weekend. Watering is allowed before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m, the city says.

Residents in the Sacramento region can find local water guidelines from their providers by using the Regional Water Authority’s online map.

As you cut back on watering your home’s lawn, there are are ways to still keep it green.

Identify your lawn type

Determining what type of grass covers your lawn, as well as its soil type and root depth, will help you understand how much water it needs to stay healthy.

According to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, there are warm-season grass, which includes St. Augustine grass and bermudagrass, and cool-season grasses, such as tall fescue and bluegrass. Warm-season grass have more tolerance for heat and drought, compared to cool-season grass.

If you have tall fescue grass in Sacramento, the organization recommends watering your lawn for 42 minutes a week in May.

Keep your grass at the right height

According to the Davey Tree Expert Company, taller grass can shade the lawn’s soil and protect its roots from the heat. In the summer, if you have cool-season grass, the company advises that it should be cut to 3 to 3 1/2 inches, or 4 inches if you have tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. Warm-season grass can be kept at 2 to 2 1/2 inches.

Watch your use of nitrogen fertilizer

While lawn grass needs nitrogen fertilizer, the UCANR warns that excessive use can lead to more grass growth and more water consumption.

For cool-season grass, it recommends 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in March or April, and then once more in September or early October. Avoid using this fertilizer from May to September, UCANR said.

If you have warm-season grass, use 1/4 maximum of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per month between April and September.

It also recommends applying 1 to 2 pounds of potassium per 1,000 square feet in the spring to increase the lawn’s tolerance to drought. A study showed that when plants absorb the right amount of potassium, it will improve their water use efficiency, growth and resistance to drought stress.

Check your sprinklers and water by hand, if needed

Make sure your sprinklers are effectively watering your lawn and are not leaking.

If your sprinklers do not cover all your lawn, then water those patches by hand.

Remember to water your trees

While it’s important to cutback on watering your yard during drought, you should continue to water your trees sufficiently.

According to the Sacramento Tree Foundation in 2021, water conservation measures in the last decade led to a neglect of trees and a less green canopy in the Sacramento region.

“While healthy trees can recover from short periods of drought stress, prolonged periods without water will eventually kill the tree and it may take years before the tree finally succumbs,” the foundation wrote. “Unfortunately, it will take decades to replace the mature trees we’ve already lost.”

Tips to keep your trees moisturized and healthy from the foundation include putting natural wood chip mulch on the tree roots and slowly soaking the tree’s soil when its dry and crumbly.

This story was originally published May 19, 2022 at 8:46 AM.