![Page 1: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
KEEPING LANDSCAPES GREEN WITH LESS GREEN
Dennis Pittenger, M.S. Area Environmental Horticulturist
University of California Cooperative Extension
Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
Presentation © 2014 Dennis Pittenger
![Page 2: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Dennis Pittenger Area Environmental Horticulturist [email protected] Phone: 951.827.3320 CENTER FOR LANDSCAPE & URBAN HORTICULTURE <www.ucanr.edu/cluh>
• B.S. & M.S. Horticulture, Ohio State University • 33 years experience
– Landscape & urban horticulture – Education and applied research programs – Landscape irrigation mgt., plant water needs,
weather-based irrigation control – Presentations, workshops, publications, Web
. • Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
![Page 3: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Objectives
• Learn a simple, accurate climate-based method to estimate landscape water requirements.
• Understand cost-effective strategies for minimizing landscape irrigation.
• Learn how to prioritize irrigation when water is limiting
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
![Page 4: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Average California Water Use Statewide Developed Water
20% Urban & 9% Landscape
77%
6%
7% 2% 4% 1%
3% Agriculture
Indoor Residential
Outdoor Residential
Large Landscape
Comm'l/Inst'l/Inds'l
Other
Environmental
Sources: Calif. Dept. Water Resources, 2013 Calif. Water Plan Update Chp. 3. UCLA Inst. of Env’t. and Sustainability, So. Calif. Environ’l. Report Card, Fall 2009.
![Page 5: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
California Statewide Urban Water Use Average, 1998-2005
Source: Calif. Dept. Water Resources, 2013 Calif. Water Plan Update Chp. 3
![Page 6: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Essentiality of Landscape Water
• Function • Recreation • Aesthetics • Mental Well-being
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
![Page 7: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Many Landscapes Are…
Overwatered!!!
![Page 8: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
• Drought is official • Perception:
• Landscapes are non-essential • Landscapes waste water
• Less or NO water for landscapes • We must be efficient water managers!
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
Landscapes Are Under Attack!!!
![Page 9: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Estimating Landscape Plant Water Requirements
![Page 10: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
One-word term describing water use of a planted area due to soil evaporation and plant transpiration.
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION (ET)
![Page 11: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Plant water use is driven primarily by the energy from the ____________.
SUN
![Page 12: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Water needs of a particular landscape plant can be accurately estimated simply by knowing its plant type category (turf, tree, shrub, groundcover, etc.)
TRUE
![Page 13: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Evapotranspiration (ET)
![Page 14: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Climate-based reference Inches/day ETo = estimated water use of
well-watered cool-season turf Calculated from weather data
Sunlight, temperature, RH, wind
ASCE Penman-Monteith equation
Based on field research with agricultural crops
ETo = Reference Evapotranspiration An estimate of environmental water demand
over a planted area
![Page 15: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
![Page 16: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Estimating Landscape Water Requirement
Accurate and Simple Equation
Gallons = ETo × PF × LA × 0.623 gallons = inches × % × sq. ft. × conversion
ETo = reference evapotranspiration; climate impact PF = plant material adjustment factor
LA = sq. ft. landscape area 0.62 = converts depth to volume [gal. ÷ (in. x sq. ft.)]
![Page 17: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Estimating Plant Water Needs Through Science
![Page 18: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Center for Landscape & Urban Horticulture University of California Cooperative Extension
Using & Adjusting PF & Kc Values
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
W
C
More Leaves & Growth High Expectations
Less Leaves & Growth Low Expectations
Turf Gc-Sh-Tr-Fl
Center for Landscape & Urban Horticulture University of California Cooperative Extension
Copyright © 2010-2013 D. Shaw and D. Pittenger
![Page 19: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Simplified Landscape Irrigation Demand Estimation
S L I D E
…..for selecting Plant Factors
![Page 20: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Principles: Plant factors accurately
estimated by broad plant type categories based on science and research
Landscape water need estimated by weighting sq. ft. of each plant type present
SLIDE Paradigm
![Page 21: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
SLIDE Features Simple to understand & use
Replaces need for huge data base Reduces number of factors or variables
Accommodates new plants Scientifically & conceptually sound
Assimilation and application of ≈20 yrs. of data Scientifically traceable
Provides reliable numbers for calculations Wide geographic & climatic application
![Page 22: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
SLIDE Rules (DRAFT)
Water Requirements of Plant Categories Turfgrass = 60% (40%) ETo (w-s) / 80% (60%) ETo (c-s) Tree/Shrub/Groundcover/Vine = 50% (30-40%) ETo Herbaceous Perennial Flowers/Foliage = 70% (50%) ETo Annual Flowers/Foliage = 80% (60) ETo Low Expectations/Native Adapted = 30% (20%) ETo
![Page 23: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Applying SLIDE Rules Established Landscapes
Landscape Water Budget or Water Need Gallons = ETo × ∑(PF × LA)1-x × 0.623
∑ = (PF1 × LA1)+ (PF2 × LA2) + (PF3 × LA3)….. Divide each zone by its DU
• ETo = reference evapotranspiration, CIMIS, etc.; climate impact • PF = plant material factor (turf, shrub-tree-vine-gc, flowers, etc.)
• LA = sq. ft. landscape area • 0.62 = converts depth to volume [gal. ÷ (in. x sq. ft.)]
![Page 24: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Applying SLIDE #1 Landscape Site
• 10,000 sq. ft. of tall fescue general turf (cool-season) • 3,500 sq. ft. of mixed beds with various trees, shrubs, groundcovers • Annual ETo is 44 inches
Annual Water Requirement (gal.) = (ETo × AF × Sq. Ft. × 0.623) ÷ DU
Turf Requirement (gal.) = (44 in. × 0.8 × 10,000 sq. ft. × 0.623) ÷ 0.6 = 365,493 gal. = 59 in. Mixed Beds Requirement Gallons = (44 × 0.5 × 3,500 × 0.623) ÷ 0.9
= 53,301 gallons = 24 inches • Site Water Budget = 418,794 gallons
![Page 25: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Isolated Trees Use Canopy Area for Landscape Area
Gallons = ETo × PF × Canopy Area × 0.623 Canopy Area (sq. ft.) = 3.14 × (radius × radius)
![Page 26: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Estimating Canopy Area
Source: © 2014 American Forests
![Page 27: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Useful Equations
Inches = Gallons ÷ (Sq. Ft. × 0.623)
Gallons = Inches × Sq. Ft. × 0.623
Billing Unit = HCF = 748 Gal.
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
![Page 28: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
WUCOLS Water Use Classification of Landscape Species
![Page 29: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
KL = KPLANTS × KVEG. DENSITY × KMICROCLIMATE
Landscape Coefficient (KL)
SLIDE Rules
![Page 30: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Cost Effective Strategies & Actions
• Horticultural Practices to Aid Water Conservation • Irrigation System Management & Maintenance • Hardware Improvements • Landscape Design, Expectations, Retrofits
![Page 31: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Horticultural Practices to Aid Water Conservation
• Aerate turf • Raise mowing height • Reduce fertilizer
– Slow release N
• Mulch exposed soil • Avoid heavy pruning
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
![Page 32: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Turf Aeration
• Increases water and air entry into soil
• Reduces thatch • Reduces compaction
![Page 33: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Horticultural Practices to Aid Water Conservation
• Keep irrigation heads clear • Forgo exotic products!
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
![Page 34: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Landscape Irrigation System Management & Maintenance
Goal: supply plants with right amount of water at proper time as efficiently as possible
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
![Page 35: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
7 Habits of Highly Effective Water Managers
1. Accurately estimate landscape water requirement 2. Apply right amount of water at right interval 3. Maintain highly uniform irrigation system 4. Eliminate runoff & deep percolation 5. Irrigate when wind & evaporation are minimum 6. Evaluate/maintain hardware and landscape often 7. Adjust/evaluate schedules as conditions change
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
![Page 36: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Effective Irrigation
• Apply amount of water needed by plants
• Plus extra water for: – Non-uniform distribution – Salt management
![Page 37: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Effective Irrigation Management
• Distribute water uniformly
• Affected by system: – Design – Installation – Maintenance
![Page 38: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Distribution Uniformity (DU)
• A measure of how evenly water is applied to a crop.
• Based on measurements which can be readily made.
• Affected by system design and maintenance. • Significantly affects water requirement
• Plant water requirement ÷ DU = Irrigation requirement
![Page 39: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
![Page 40: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
![Page 41: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Distribution Uniformity (DU)
DU Irrigation Multiplier 0.5 2.00 0.6 1.67 0.7 1.43 0.8 1.25 0.9 1.11
![Page 42: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Applying SLIDE #2 Landscape Site
• 10,000 sq. ft. of general turf - with irrigation system improvements • 3,500 sq. ft. of mixed beds with various trees, shrubs, groundcovers • Annual ETo is 44 inches
Annual Water Requirement (gal) = (ETo × AF × Sq. Ft. × 0.623) ÷ DU
Turf Requirement Gallons = (44 × 0.8 × 10,000 × 0.623) ÷ 0.7 = 313,280 gal. = 50 inches
Reduced Turf Water Budget ≈ 15% (313,280 gal vs. 365,493 gal or 50 in vs 59 in)
![Page 43: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Focus on Maximizing DU!!
• Adjust/repair/replace heads or emitters • Add heads or emitters • Optimum pressure for heads and emitters • Goal:
≥70% DU for overhead systems ≥85% DU for drip
![Page 44: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Effective Irrigation Management • Avoid runoff • Affected by:
– Site conditions – Horticultural practices – Irrigation system operation, mgt.,
maintenance
![Page 45: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Avoid Runoff
• Site Conditions – Slope – Landscape design – Irrigation system
![Page 46: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Avoid Runoff
• Horticultural Practices – Avoid soil compaction – Aerate/dethatch turf – Dethatch turf
![Page 47: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Avoid Runoff • Horticultural Practices (cont.)
– Keep irr. heads clear • Turf cutting ht./raise heads • Prune/remove plant
– Judicious fertilization & use slow-release N
– Forgo exotic products!
![Page 48: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
Avoid Runoff • Multiple start times • Cycle and soak • Run irr. laterals across slope • Reduce precipitation rate
![Page 49: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)
Evaluating Landscape Irrigation System & Management
Goals
• Measure effectiveness and efficiency of irrigation system and schedules
• Improve water conserving irrigation schedules and management practices
• Verify Smart Controller performance
![Page 50: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/50.jpg)
Evaluating Landscape Irrigation System & Management
Questions • How efficient and effective am I irrigating my
landscape? • What can I do to conserve water and improve
my irrigation management? • Could a Smart irrigation controller help? • Is my Smart controller performing correctly?
![Page 51: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/51.jpg)
Evaluating Landscape Irrigation System & Management
Process
• Walk-thru inspection & tune-up (maintenance) • Collect data about site & system • Run calculations & analyze data • Report findings • Modify and adjust system & schedules
![Page 52: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/52.jpg)
Evaluating Landscape Irrigation System & Management
Data & Calculations • Verify irrigation zones or stations • Precipitation rate (PR) • Distribution uniformity (DU) • Record plant material, root depths, soil texture • Estimate plant water requirements • Calculate schedule for each zone or station
![Page 53: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/53.jpg)
Irrigation System Evaluation
![Page 54: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/54.jpg)
Irrigation System Evaluation
![Page 55: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/55.jpg)
Good Maintenance Yields Improved Effectiveness
Be wary of in-field modifications!!
![Page 56: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/56.jpg)
Hardware Improvements
• Smart controller? • 4+ programs/4+ starts • Precision, Press. Comp. emitters • No silver bullets • Integrated approach needed • Improve system performance
and management first!!
![Page 57: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/57.jpg)
Landscapes require irrigation when…..
…..performance expectations exceed plant adaptation to precipitation
Expectations and Design Intent
determine landscape water need
![Page 58: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/58.jpg)
Landscape Design, Expectations, Retrofits
• Hydrozones • Maximize irr. system performance
– High uniformity and no runoff
• Reduce turf - Functional turf only • Low expectation/low density zones
![Page 59: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/59.jpg)
Landscape Design & Expectations
• Expectations Met and Water Conserved
![Page 60: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/60.jpg)
Landscape Retrofits • Turf replacement • Difficult to irrigate areas
![Page 61: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/61.jpg)
What About Sports Fields??
• Priority? • Highest water requirement
– Need to be actively growing – Turf must recover from wear – Injury potential
• Is artificial turf cost-effective?
![Page 62: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/62.jpg)
Prioritizing Irrigation
• Focus water on most valuable & difficult to replace plants • Trees/Shrubs/Vines/Grdcvr > Perennials > Lawn/Annuals
![Page 63: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/63.jpg)
Prioritizing Irrigation
![Page 64: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/64.jpg)
Approx. Minimum Water Required to Keep Plants Alive
• Lawns – c-s: 0.5 inches every 3-5 days – w-s: 0.75 in. every 7-10 days
• Trees/Shrubs/Vines/Groundcovers – 1.0-1.5 in. every 10-14 days
• Perennials – 1.0 in. every 5-7 days
But how long can they go??
![Page 65: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/65.jpg)
Take Home Highest ROI Priorities
• Landscape & Irr. Sys. Maint. • Improve DU and hardware • Improve schedules • Lower expectations • Reduce planted area • Prioritize irrigated areas • Retrofit/adjust plant spp. mix
– Turf = 31 gal./sq. ft. – G-S-T = 16 gal./sq. ft. – Color = 25 gal./sq. ft.
![Page 66: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/66.jpg)
Dennis Pittenger Area Environmental Horticulturist
[email protected] Phone: 951.827.3320 Center for Landscape & Urban Horticulture <www.ucanr.edu/cluh>
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside
![Page 67: EEPING LANDSCAPES REEN WITH LESS GREEN...Landscape Water Management tab on left) • Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2 nd Ed. (2011) or 3 rd Ed. (2013)](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022081405/5f095f6a7e708231d4268685/html5/thumbnails/67.jpg)
Useful Reference Materials • U.C.C.E. Center for Landscape and Urban Horticulture
– www.ucanr.edu/cluh (Landscape Water Management tab on left)
• Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Auditor Man’l. 2nd Ed. (2011) or 3rd Ed. (2013). Chapter 7 and Appendix D.
• U.C. Cooperative Extension Handbook: Landscape Irrigation System Evaluation and Management. (D. Shaw and D. Pittenger, 2009) – www.ucanr.edu/cluh (Landscape Water Management tab on left)
• California Dept. of Water Resources – CIMIS – CIMIS (California Irrigation Management Information System) – http://www.cimis.water.ca.gov/cimis
• Los Angeles County/UC Riverside