Top Tools for Water Conservation - Waterwise Gardening, Los Alamos

1. Los Alamos Cooperative Extension Service • Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities
Waterwise Gardening
MAY 2009 Top Tools for Water Conservation
This Issue By Matthew Dickens, DPU Conservation Coordinator
• Top Tools for Ed. Note: After hundreds of local, Los Alamos controllers lacking this programmed
Water Conservation County, home audits to assist homeowners in intelligence. In Los Alamos 30 percent
• Master Gardeners saving water, DPU’s Matthew Dickens has of our water use is concentrated out-
• Plant of the Month identified some of the most effective, economical doors. A Smart Controller could allow
• New Mexico’s and easy-to-use devices available today. a 9 percent savings on total water use.
Drought Outlook
Spring is here and we’re getting busy Slow Stream Spray Heads
Water Rule W-8 in our yards., and busy shopping for
now in effect our yards, When visiting a home Slow stream spray heads/nozzles,
through improvement store, or an irrigation such as the MP Rotator, allow home
september 30, 2009 supply shop, you might consuder irrigators to increase their irrigation
The DPU’s local the following water conservation system’s distribution uniformity (DU*)
Water Rule W-8 requires tools. These tools help to conserve to approximately 80 percent, compared
that watering be done water, minimize water waste, and to a standard DU of 65 percent.
before 10 a.m and after improve your yard’s overall health Additional benefits offered include a
5 p.m. to avoid the high and appearance. In this issue we low application rate that reduces runoff
evaporaiton rates that recommend home irrigation tools and on sloped turf areas and compacted
occur during the heat of upgrades that will assist with each of soils. Slow stream spray heads/nozzles
the day. Also required is those goals. also work efficiently with low water
watering every other day pressures and operate multiple
according to your address. Recommended irrigation zones simultaneously.
Odd addresses: Wed., Fri. Home Irrigation Upgrades *Distribution Uniformity – For irrigation,
& Sun. Even addresses on DU measures how uniformly water is applied
Tues., Thurs. & Sat. Smart Controllers/Timers to a given area, expressed in percent.
Smart controllers have been in Drip Irrigation Systems
Waterwise commercial practice for many years, but
Contributors the equipment is being redesigned and Drip irrigation systems can nearly
marketed for homeowners and non- double irrigation efficiencies, by
Matthew Dickens irrigation professionals. Advances allow emitting water directly to the plant’s
Los Alamos customers to readily establish irrigation root zone, where the water is needed.
Dept of Public Utilities schedules that integrate plant water A drip system, when properly designed
matthew.dickens @ needs with historical weather data and managed, efficiently maintains an
lacnm.us, 662-8234 including local solar, temperature and optimal range of moisture in the soil
Carlos Valdez moisture levels. Some controllers use because it applies water in a precise
Los Alamos programmed data while others receive manner and reduces water waste caused
Cooperative Extension information via satellite. The controller by misting, overspray and runoff.
valdez@nmsu.edu takes into account the weather data Drip systems come in a variety of
662-2656 and automatically adjusts the irrigation packages ranging from a more complex
run times, increasing efficiency while installation method, to those ready
Editor: Allison Majure reducing overall outdoor water use. to use out of the box. Regardless, it is
Los Alamos Results from an independent study important to make sure that your new
Dept of Public Utilities suggest that the smart controller drip system is capable of fulfilling your
allison.majure@lacnm.us can save up to 30 percent more than irrigation needs.
662-8133

2. Who are the Master Gardeners?
Los Alamos Cooperative Extension Service • Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities
All across the United States there are volunteer Master
Gardener organizations that work with state university
extension services and their communities to provide
educational services to gardeners.
Here in New Mexico the first program to be established
was in Bernalillo County in 1981 by Jim Saiz.
Training was also available to surrounding counties
and later those counties established their own programs.
Water efficiency and xeric plants are among the many
areas of expertise provided.
The Los Alamos County Extension agent for our local
Master Gardeners organization is Carlos Valdez,
Waterwise Gardening
(valdez@nmsu.edu ; 662-2656). Mr. Valdez can
put you in touch with Los Alamos’ Master Gardening
volunteers. Also available through the statewide Master
Gardeners web site (www.nmmastergardeners.org)
is an email “Questions Answered” service. Send your
inquiry to: druthbronson@comcast.net
Plant of the Month, Sunrose
Sunrose (Helianthemum nummularium) is a semi-woody perennial shrub that remains a garden favorite
M
N
year after year. From the second week of May until the third week of June, this low-growing plant is covered
with small flat blossoms. Varieties with many different flower colors are available. Once the blooms are gone,
the mounds of leaves remain all year long. The silver- and gray-green-leaved varieties, in particular, look
fresh and beautiful throughout the winter. At six to ten-inches high with an 18-inch spread, Helianthemum
function well in many garden situations and once established, is exceptionally drought-tolerant, making it a
perfect addition to the xeriscape garden. The same plant will also thrive in a partly-shady perennial border.
New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and Los Alamos County cooperate to fund the local Extension Office.
U.S. Drought Monitor May 12, 2009
Valid 7 a.m. EST
New Mexico
Drought Conditions (Percent Area)
None D0-D4 D1-D4 D2-D4 D3-D4 D4
Current 21.9 78.1 46.0 17.2 0.0 0.0
Last Week
21.9 78.1 36.8 13.5 0.0 0.0
(05/05/2009 map)
3 Months Ago
49.6 50.4 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
(02/17/2009 map)
Start of
Calendar Year 76.6 23.4 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
(01/06/2009 map)
Start of
Water Year 70.7 29.3 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
(10/07/2008 map)
One Year Ago
26.9 73.1 50.0 6.9 0.0 0.0
(05/13/2008 map)
Intensity:
D0 Abnormally Dry D3 Drought - Extreme
D1 Drought - Moderate D4 Drought - Exceptional
D2 Drought - Severe
The Drought Monitor focuses on broad-scale conditions.
Local conditions may vary. See accompanying text summary
for forecast statements.
Released Thursday, May 14, 2009
http://drought.unl.edu/dm Author: D. Miskus/M. Rosencrans/A. Artusa, CPC/NOAA