Robin L
enthusiast
Posts: 838
Reg: 12-19-07
|
04-18-14 09:11 AM - Post#167701
I was hoping to add a thin layer of a topsoil-manure mixture over my Bermuda grass as a way to amend the soil and help the grass grow stronger. There are some bare spots and had hoped to toss some grass seed down. However, in the current Stage 3 Restrictions, extra watering for new grass plantings at existing homes isn't allowed. How is everyone else handling this? Leaving the bare patches bare? Is anyone amending the soil? Should I just leave it alone and allow nature to be nature? Should I invest in at least the top soil layer? Last year someone in the neighborhood did a thin layer of manure over their lawn, and it looks FANTASTIC! I was hoping to achieve similar results; won't be the same since my lawn is pretty bad, but adding nutrients couldn't hurt, right?
Edited by Robin L on 04-18-14 12:12 PM. Reason for edit: Misread no new grass vs no extra watering for new grass
|
jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1475
Reg: 08-31-05
|
04-18-14 11:14 AM - Post#167702
In response to Robin L
Wow, I actually did not know that (no new sod at existing homes). I know some people in our neighborhood put out new sod awhile back so I thought it was allowed. Our grass developed some type of lawn disease last summer and our fertilizer guy suggested to wait until this spring to see if it would come back. Well, it's not going to apparently and we have some pretty ugly bare spots in our yard. I guess we'll just let the weeds take over because at least they're green!
|
Robin L
enthusiast
Posts: 838
Reg: 12-19-07
|
04-18-14 12:11 PM - Post#167703
In response to jogo
I need to edit that. I went to the City website to post it and can't find it specific, so I went to my email from our Association Manager, sent from the City to her (I'm currently on my neighborhood's HOA Board), and it stated "Please remember: There is not additional watering (or variances) allowed for new landscaping or sod replacement in existing homes or commercial properties during Stage 3 with spray irrigation systems."
I initially read that to mean we can't plant new stuff. BUT after rereading, I believe it means we can't use additional WATER when planting new stuff. Oops! Mistake on my end.
In any case, that means I can't water seed or sod the way they would need to be watered, so...still in the same spot.
I agree - at least the weeds are green! ;)
|
jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1475
Reg: 08-31-05
|
04-18-14 12:29 PM - Post#167704
In response to Robin L
This is what I read on the city website:
I want to replace my lawn with sod, can I hand water it until it is established? No! During Stage 3 water restrictions, you are limited to one day per week to water your lawn either by hand, sprinklers or automatic irrigation system from April 1 through October 31. It would be best to wait to re-sod the lawn once Stage 3 water restrictions are over. The use of erosion control mats, compost, and/or mulch may be an alternative to hold the soil until the lawn may be reestablished.
So, the same as you, while it's not specifically banned, unless you can give it extra water, new sod is just going to be a waste of time and money right now. I had actually already gotten a bid from one place and thought it was too high so I told them no thanks.
|
Robin L
enthusiast
Posts: 838
Reg: 12-19-07
|
04-18-14 12:32 PM - Post#167706
In response to jogo
Yea, we went another route - more like xeriscaping - for our lawn this year, but there are still some patches that need help. Luckily our Board is understanding and has chosen to "overlook" bare spots and poor lawns this year due to the restrictions. As long as the "weeds" are mowed and edged, we are all good ;)
|
denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9241
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
|
04-18-14 02:43 PM - Post#167711
In response to Robin L
Adding organic matter to your lawn is a great idea. It will help your lawn retain moisture better in addition to fertilizing it. Texas Pure Products has a top dressing that is perfect for this type of application. It is finer than the regular compost and will fill in between the blades of grass more easily. They do deliver. http://egov.plano.gov/PureProducts/default.aspx
Allen Garden Club
www.allengardenclub.org
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." - Mother Teresa |
|
Don4
enthusiast
Posts: 523
Loc: Allen 1993
Reg: 04-11-06
|
04-18-14 06:02 PM - Post#167716
In response to jogo
Just a reminder, we're still under the once every other week watering restrictions.
Link to Water Restrictions
Edited by Don4 on 04-18-14 06:05 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
|
DrivinTooFast
enthusiast
Posts: 1874
Reg: 02-20-08
|
04-20-14 03:28 PM - Post#167727
In response to Don4
Green concrete might be an option.
The stadium will not be using its artificial turf for a while, maybe you can borrow it until the drought breaks
|
jogo
enthusiast
Posts: 1475
Reg: 08-31-05
|
04-20-14 03:57 PM - Post#167728
In response to DrivinTooFast
The stadium will not be using its artificial turf for a while, maybe you can borrow it until the drought breaks
Great AISD fundraising idea - sell some astroturf to those of us who like green lawns and raise some money to fix the cracks! 
|
Robin L
enthusiast
Posts: 838
Reg: 12-19-07
|
04-28-14 10:26 PM - Post#168086
In response to denisew
Adding organic matter to your lawn is a great idea. It will help your lawn retain moisture better in addition to fertilizing it. Texas Pure Products has a top dressing that is perfect for this type of application. It is finer than the regular compost and will fill in between the blades of grass more easily. They do deliver. http://egov.plano.gov/PureProducts/default.aspx
Thanks for that link. The stuff we used from Home Depot, some soil conditioner a lady suggested, isn't helping. :(
|
StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 1091
Loc: West Side
Reg: 09-24-04
|
04-29-14 10:26 PM - Post#168115
In response to Robin L
We just moved into an existing home that wasn't maintained very well. We've cleared out the area where the lawn is supposed to be, but now we have dirt since we can't plant any grass. We also have huge bare patches in the front yard where we need to plant grass but can't because of the water restrictions. I hope my kids like playing in dirt instead of on a lawn this summer. Of course, that means more frequent baths. Not sure which uses less water...
I hope that, in addition to needed rain, we get some restrictions loosened when the Texoma Pipeline comes online in June. After 6 years of this, people are going to need to do maintenance to existing lawns/landscaping and pools. It's not so easy to just xeriscape in some of the neighborhoods in Allen, and existing pools are going to need to be replastered/water refreshed.
Edited by StacyLynn624 on 04-29-14 10:29 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
|
acs0815
member
Posts: 96
Reg: 05-24-05
|
04-29-14 10:35 PM - Post#168117
In response to StacyLynn624
Did they extend the Stage 3 every other week watering restrictions past April 30?
|
denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9241
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
|
04-30-14 07:25 AM - Post#168119
In response to acs0815
I looked at the city website under water conservation and did not see any specific decisions to continue into May, but the last announcement did say that if we do not receive sufficient rainfall in April, the current water restrictions will go into May. So, be prepared to continue the every two week watering schedule.
|
denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9241
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
|
04-30-14 07:33 AM - Post#168120
In response to denisew
I just saw this posted on another site:
North Texas Municipal Water District voted last week to continue with once every two week watering through May. The lake still remains at almost 12 feet below conservation stage, in spite of the rainfall that has occurred. We still have a 5 % chance of moving into Stage 4 water restrictions later this summer or fall if rainfall does not help with the conservation level in the lake
|
catlady
enthusiast
Posts: 688
Loc: allen tx
Reg: 03-22-02
|
04-30-14 02:08 PM - Post#168133
In response to denisew
My yard looks like crap to me - but it's not the worse one on the street. I too need to resod some grass but didn't because of the water restrictions. Got a wonderful quote from Cititurf and once this is over they will get my business.
A dog looks at you and says "You take care of me. You must be a god".
A cat looks at you and says "You give me food and shelter. I must be a god". |
|
ConserveNature
enthusiast
Posts: 174
Reg: 10-15-05
|
04-30-14 07:00 PM - Post#168144
In response to denisew
Front page of city site, right side, says water restrictions for Stage 3 continue into May. If you read further (hopefully by link below), you'll get a map and calendar as to when you can water in May.
http://cityofallen.org/DocumentCenter/View/1 235
Edited by ConserveNature on 04-30-14 07:10 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
|
denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9241
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
|
04-30-14 07:50 PM - Post#168146
In response to ConserveNature
Thanks for providing that link.
I wouldn't worry too much about the lawn. I think saving trees and the home foundations are much more important than a patch of green grass.
|
StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 1091
Loc: West Side
Reg: 09-24-04
|
05-01-14 10:26 AM - Post#168159
In response to catlady
I've had a couple of quotes too.
Our trees are fine, as we live on a creek, but we would like our kids to be able to play in some grass in our yard this summer, like we did when we were kids. One of the reasons we bought this house was because of the size of the potential yard. We have to worry about soil erosion being on the creek, so not having ground cover is a problem.
For us, it's getting to be a quality of life issue.
I'm pretty sure we could have a 40 days/40 nights of rain situation, and still be under Stage 3. In my past dealings with the water conservation department in Allen, they don't want you to bathe or drink a glass of water. They want Allen to make up for the entire district.
The lake is low, and that's because of rain, but if the District had properly planned for population growth a decade or more ago, we wouldn't have these problems. The City treats it like its the citizens fault, when its really not.
The pipeline from Texoma will help tremendously. I'm hoping to be able to plant grass once that's online, but I'm sure the NTMWD and the City will treat it like a drop in the bucket and not change anything.
The pool maintenance for existing pools is another issue. You're supposed to drain and refresh your water every 5 years or so. We didn't ever do it in our old house (we lived there for 10 years), but you are supposed to do that. Also, you're supposed to replaster every 10-15 years. I would imagine that there are lots of pools in Allen built around 1995-2000 that are in desperate need of this maintenance.
|
ConserveNature
enthusiast
Posts: 174
Reg: 10-15-05
|
05-04-14 01:01 PM - Post#168300
In response to StacyLynn624
Can't tell exactly what Frisco's Stage 3 is but appears to be once a week. Their site mentions Stage 3 started November 1, 2013. However, it also mentions they are following "NTMWD Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan" which says Stage 3 is every other week.
Checked McKinney and they show Stage 3 but it's the same as Frisco.
Plano shows they are following NTMWD plan.
|
StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 1091
Loc: West Side
Reg: 09-24-04
|
05-04-14 06:34 PM - Post#168309
In response to ConserveNature
I'm not just talking about lawn watering, but all of the restrictions in total. Some of the cities are more lenient on pool building & draining for maintenance. Some are more lenient on spray parks or ornamental fountains. There are a lot of differences. Each town can make changes to the NTMWD plan.
I'm talking about the whole package. In talking with the Allen conservation lady, who was kind of rude about it, she basically made it seem like we need to save more/sacrifice more than all of the other towns. Like there was some sort of Blue Ribbon to be won or something. It was a little extreme. She really made me feel like we shouldn't be bathing or drinking water. Every drop counts! LOL
I saw all of the new sod laid in the medians of Exchange. Just made me mad. That sod won't even be used by anybody. Just looked at. They could have xeriscaped it.
|
