Friday, July 1, 1994 - North Shore News - 18 Water conservation always important Peggy Trendell Whittaker ECO INFO IF WE have a rainy summer, it will be the fault of the . GVRD Water Department. That’s my conclusion after watching its water conservation edu- cation efforts over the past three years. It seems that the better job it does of promoting responsible water use, the more likely that Fate — that old trickster — will open the heavens and send the downpours, just so peo- ple will say “*...and they’re worried about water shortages?” But the answer to water worries isn’t as simple as experiencing a good rainfali. Limited storage capac- © ity in the Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam drinking water reservoirs means that much of that rain can’t br puttouse. ¢ - A better indication of whether water supply might become a prob- lem over the summer, when water usage rises. dramatically, is whether there has been a good snowfall the previous winter. The run-off froma healthy snowpack will provide a continuous water supply to the reser- voirs over the spring and summer, Lately, snowpack levels have been below average. Top this off with the fact that our population is ever-expanding, and that we in the Lower Mainland are probably tops in Canada for per capita water consumption, It all adds up to the reason we have to start becoming more responsible. No one wants to sev extra forest land being flooded to increase the reservoir size or our Water bills soar due to the required treatment of vast quantities of water which could be unnecessary. So, once again, the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GRD) is urging us to cut down on our water usage now’. To that end, it has produced a water-wise lawn and garden care brochure, since most of the water used in the summer months is in your yard. The following tips are highlights from the brochure. Copies, or more information, can be had by calling the Water Conservation Hotline at 436-6899, © Most lawns need only be watered once per week to a depth of 2.5 cm, or about one inch. If you aren't sure how long to water, consider setting out an empty tuna tin to measure how long it takes your sprinkler to apply 2.5 cm of water to your lawn, and use that time as a future guide- line. G Step on your grass to see if it even needs watering. If it springs back, the lawn is fine. _C) Don’t worry if your grass turns brown. Lawns may brown quickly during hot, dry spells, but recover quickly in the fall. O Tune into your local weather sta- Grass clippings can serve as a natural lawn fertilizer LAWN CARE raises many ques- tions among gardeners, Here are the answers to two common queries. @ Do I have to fertilize if I leave my grass clippings on the lawn? Leaving grass clippings on the lawn can provide as much as 20% of the nitrogen your lawn needs. Within a week after mowing the lawn, nitrogen from the decom- posed clippings will show up in the new grass growth. However, you will still want to fertilize about a month after the grass starts growing to replenish root zone food reserves and again about a month before the lawn goes dormant to prepare the root zone for continued growth underground. The pre-dormant feeding is the most important one. Can grass clipplags be used in a backyard composter? Yes, as well as chopped leaves in autumn. The only precaution is this — wait at least four mowings after the application of a pesticide. Also, use only vegetable matter in a composter and avoid plants that are obviously diseased. CARPENTER ANT CONTROL GO YEARS EXPERIGSNCE 926-8230 AAILES PRICH SR. Showroom Hours Mon.-Fri. 8am-3pm © B.C. Gas financing available e (inserts for existing fireplaces, free standing or direct vent e Clean, efficient heating Convert your old gas furnace now! Save 20% on your gas bill with a gas furnace by Nova. "NOVA HEATING ora orcs: wote us “Warming homes for 49 years” 663 West 3rd, North Vancouver 988-3922 tion. If the forecast calls for rain, let Mother Nature do the watering. 1 The average flower bed should be watered about twice a week for 20 minutes during the morning or evening. Hand-watering of gardens is permitted all summer long, so don't feel guilty if your beds demand a daily soak. Use a watering can or a hose with a spring-loaded nozzle. If you're tired of watering every day, consider using a soaker hose or installing a drip irrigation system. 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