GRASS MAINTENANCE DURING SUMMER 2022

Owners and residents have had questions regarding the proper maintenance of grass during the summer heat and drought in Davenport Rim.

1. What is Stage 1 conservation? We have already addressed the problem of limited irrigation during Stage 1 water conservation by the City of Austin (June 2, 2022). One only needs to look at our inner loop greenbelt (in the middle of the neighborhood) to see what the effects of continuously high temperatures and limited irrigation has on large areas of grass. It is turning brown before our eyes!

2. How do we keep our lawns green? We know from previous years that brown (dormant) grass will “green up” with upcoming cooler temperatures and more rain. Limited irrigation can help keep it alive during the summer, but it can only do so much to keep it “green”. Some DR owners who have worried about their grass have kept it healthy and green through frequent hand watering (especially in the early morning and cooler evening hours), and it works.

3. What about mowing? If we keep our lawns healthy, how and when should the grass be mowed? After several discussions with our landscape company Yellowstone, it is clear that some lawns need to be mowed and some don’t, depending on the amount and frequency of watering and the type of grass. For example (according to Emerald Lawns website), the three grasses listed below are considered best for a healthy lawn in Central Texas. (If you don’t know what kind of grass you have in your yard, contact any nursery for an inspection - e.g. ABC Home and Commercial Services has free inspections).

4. What types of grass are found in our neighborhood?

• St. Augustine is a low- to medium type of grass that forms a thick, carpet-like lawn, but needs a lot of water to do so.

It must be mowed high.

• Bermuda grass is drought-resistant and requires full sun to grow. It doesn’t do well in the shade and must be mowed low.

• Zoysia is an aggressive, dark green lawn grass that is low maintenance and is best known for its tolerance in low light conditions.

It requires only low water use and is hardy in cold weather.

5. What does our landscaping company recommend? During July, Yellowstone crews have not provided mowing when they notice the grass is almost dormant, since mowing can cause more stress and damage. Generally, turf should go dormant in drought and return with rains and cooler temperatures. Yellowstone recommends watering lawns with a few good soaks (such as in the evenings on Tuesdays, which is our neighborhood-allowed watering day). This is better than little bits of water every day, since grass roots need to be encouraged to seek water during dry days.

6. Can our landscaping company help us? Beginning Thursday, August 4 and almost every week thereafter, Yellowstone will begin maintenance of all front and back yards. Note that “maintenance” may or may not include mowing, depending on the crew’s decision regarding how dormant the grass is. They will also be raising the mower decks to trim higher, to avoid stressing the grass and to allow more moisture to stay in the grass for maximum growth.

7. How can I keep my turf more green and healthy? If you want to have green, healthier grass for the rest of the summer, we suggest extra watering with these City of Austin procedures in mind:

(Posted June 2, 2022) City Stage 1 water conservation: Our “multi-family” automatic irrigation will now run for approximately 10 minutes per zone on Tuesdays from midnight – 8 am and from 7 pm – midnight. (Weeks with significant rainfall may cause an interruption of this schedule.) Tenants may add further water to grass, plants, and trees with a hand-held hose without restrictions, and/or water with hose-end sprinklers on Tuesdays from midnight - 10 am and from 7 pm – midnight.

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/find-your-watering-day. Exempt from Stage 1 restrictions are automatic bubblers, automatic drip irrigation, and soaker hoses beneath the tree canopy and in vegetable gardens. Patio misters are limited to the hours between 4 pm and midnight.

We hope the above information is useful for our owners and residents during this unusually hot and dry summer of 2022. Thank you

for your patience and cooperation in keeping Davenport Rim attractive.