Skip a week

As the winter chill passes through Florida, Toho recognizes “Skip a Week” and encourages everyone to water their yards every other week. As temperatures drop, grass and plants require less water than in the spring and summer months. In winter, less evaporation allows plants and grass to retain more moisture. Your lawn is hibernating, this is a great time to encourage healthy root growth. Collectively, we would save 1.9 billion gallons of water if everyone skips just one week of irrigation this winter. That’s enough to water about 60,000 Florida yards for a whole year!

Maintaining a vibrant Florida lawn involves prudent water management. In Florida, various grass types, including Bahia, St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda, enter a dormant state when temperatures stay below 82 degrees. Despite this dormancy, some grass may remain green. Excessive watering during winter can stress the lawn and lead to negative effects in spring.

Plants will use energy to grow longer roots when water is not readily available. Plants with long healthy roots will use less water, be more tolerant to drought, and have better soil stability. All you have to do is use less water to make that happen. According to research by the University of Florida, grass lawns require only half an inch of water every 10 to 14 days in the winter. This periodic watering helps keep the roots robust and nutrient-dense, ensuring a lush return in the spring.  Make sure to adjust irrigation systems to align with this schedule.

When modifying irrigation systems for winter, it's crucial to inspect the entire system for functionality. Check for broken heads, misdirected emitters, or any programming issues that could result in unnecessary water waste or increased costs. Upon the arrival of spring, homeowners should reassess their irrigation system.

For assistance with irrigation needs, homeowners can reach out to the Water Conservation Team at Toho Water Authority. They offer irrigation evaluations within their service area and can be contacted at 407-944-5124 or waterconservation@tohowater.com .

Remember to follow assigned watering days and times. For irrigation schedules, go to tohowater.com . This winter, save water and your lawn by skipping a week of watering!