The Invasive Air Potato

Photo from Okeechobee UF/IFAS Extension

Stephen Brown, Lee County Extension Agent, did a great job on this video describing the air potato vine.  Click here to view video.

For more information visit:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag112

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/hot_topics/environment/air_potato.html

http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/parks/air_potato.html

http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/133

Ten water-wasting irrigation problems (And their easy fixes!)

Staying on top of irrigation system problems will prevent wasting water and loss or damage to landscapes. The most important action to take to help maintain an irrigation system is to conduct regular inspections while the system is running.

1.      Problem: System is watering during rainfall or after sufficient rainfall.
Fix: Install a rain sensor that will automatically turn off the system during rain events to reduce overwatering. (It is a requirement by state law SB494 that all systems have a rain sensor and that they are tested and operating properly).

2.      Problem: Sprinklers on large turf areas do not provide uniform water distribution.
Fix: Adjust sprinkler heads to create head-to-head coverage and add heads where needed.

3.      Problem: Small areas of turf are deteriorating and are difficult to maintain.

Fix: Convert the areas to plant beds and use drought-tolerant plants suitable to the conditions.

4.      Problem: System is watering turf and plants on the same zone for the same duration and with the same amount of water.
Fix: If plant materials in beds are established, irrigation should be shut off altogether or the more appropriate low-volume irrigation should replace the current high-volume irrigation system.

5.      Problem: Broken sprinkler heads are noted.
Fix: Check sprinkler heads on a regular basis and replace broken heads as soon as possible.

6.      Problem: Sprinkler heads are spraying onto driveway or sidewalk.
Fix: Change nozzles from 180 degree spray to 90 degree spray or adjust spray pattern.

7.      Problem: Sprinkler head is spraying directly into the ground.
Fix: Straighten the sprinkler head.

8.      Problem: Sprinkler head distribution is blocked by plant material.

Fix: Remove or trim plant material to reduce blockage.

9.      Problem: Sprinkler heads are watering a plant-less mulch area.
Fix: Cap these sprinkler heads.

Problem: Sprinkler head appears to be clogged or is not popping up.
Fix: Flush out the head and replace the nozzle if necessary.

Information above provided by Sylvia L. Durell, Senior Communications Coordinator,

Southwest Florida Water Management District 
 

Protect Your Plants in Cold Weather

What to Do During the Freeze

photo from www.realcoolpics.blogspot.com

Ornamental plants can be protected during a freeze by sprinkling the plants with water. Sprinkling for cold protection helps keep leaf surface temperatures near 32°F (0°C) because sprinkling utilizes latent heat released when water changes from a liquid to a solid state. Sprinkling must begin as freezing temperatures are reached and continue until thawing is completed.

 Water must be evenly distributed and supplied in ample quantity to maintain a film of liquid water on the foliage surfaces. Irrigation for several days may water soak the soil resulting in damaged root systems and/or plant breakage due to ice build up.

Also visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/MG/MG02500.pdf

It's Time to Skip a Week!

During the winter months of December, January and February, your yard only needs about 3/4” of water every 10-14 days. So turn your irrigation timer off when you want to skip a week and turn it on the week you want to water.

Find out more at http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation/irrigating/

Click here to view a short video on how to reset your irrigation timer.