Florida friendly lawns in jax and saving our water (St. Augustine: how much, houses)

[riveree]

You brought up a great point, HIF - until everyone stops trying to get around the rules, we're not going to make much progress and the situation will become more dire . I don't doubt it one bit that what your irrigation guy said is true, that they all disable the rain gauges.

I don't have an irrigation system, I only water as needed using an old fashioned sprinkler. I wait until my lawn looks a little grey and the blades of grass fold up a bit. Waiting until this happens forces the roots to grow deeper in search of water and over time the grass will need less and less water as the roots grow stronger and deeper .

You can always start with a compromise. Carve out some deep, sweeping plant beds in the grass and fill them with native plants (xeriscape the beds). You could decide to decrease the grass by 25% the first year, and then maybe increase it to 50% over time...making the planting beds bigger each year.

There is a small, easy to read book that I highly recommend as a primer to native plants and xeriscaping:

Natural Florida Landscaping
by Dan Walton & Laurel Schiller

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I live a little South of Jacksonville in Volusia county. My homeowners association says we have to have St. Augustine grass which is a pain to keep up and takes alot of water.

I have let my entire front lawn die and plan on making the whole front yard a planting bed with plants that will take less care. I want to put in some palms and ground cover. I'm just not going to struggle with the grass anymore.

I think its time that cities start passing ordinances against encouraging grass that takes so much upkeep.

[agreatlife]

HIF - a lot of folks are using pine straw for mulch. Just be aware that it's pretty acidic, but if you plant some hydrangeas they'll turn a nice blue. Karla w a K, chime in here, as I'm not the astute gardener, just going off of memory of a previous home.

[Keith-n-Jax]

Well what about businesses that there sprinkerls seem to be always on,even after down pours and even while its raining.They waste more water than everybody.I ask one lady why were there sprinklers on while it was raining she said theres nothing we can do they are on a timer.I turn my system off when rain is expected and dont rely on my rain gauge.

[titaniummd]

Our place uses reclaimed water. I don't know how water restrictions are factored into that method of watering.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Keith-n-Jax

Well what about businesses that there sprinkerls seem to be always on,even after down pours and even while its raining.They waste more water than everybody.I ask one lady why were there sprinklers on while it was raining she said theres nothing we can do they are on a timer.I turn my system off when rain is expected and dont rely on my rain gauge.

Report them to JEA! That water is going straight down the street drain which goes straight to the river...a complete waste of our water!

Originally Posted by titaniummd

Our place uses reclaimed water. I don't know how water restrictions are factored into that method of watering.

I think the reclaimed has its' own meter.

I don't think you're with JEA , but JEA has an info page on reclaimed water:

JEA - Reclaimed Water

[Karla with a K]

Originally Posted by agreatlife

HIF - a lot of folks are using pine straw for mulch. Just be aware that it's pretty acidic, but if you plant some hydrangeas they'll turn a nice blue. Karla w a K, chime in here, as I'm not the astute gardener, just going off of memory of a previous home.

Pine straw is very popular as mulch, it will also give you the natural look.
We have used it in the school butterfly garden.
It does not seem to last as long as pine bark mulch

[HIF]

Karla-

Thank you for meeting me and my mom at Skinner's yesterday for our Florida Friendly Foliage Foray!

[smithmt]

Originally Posted by Lindsey_Mcfarren

I live a little South of Jacksonville in Volusia county. My homeowners association says we have to have St. Augustine grass which is a pain to keep up and takes alot of water...

I think its time that cities start passing ordinances against encouraging grass that takes so much upkeep.

First off, I think it's funny that here in the South we grow what in the north is considered a family of crab-grass.

Secondly, have any of you thought about rain water collecting or a cistern/well to run your sprinklers from? I know here in the Arlington area of Jax, I hit water about two feet below ground while digging holes for my fence posts. That will be one of my projects soon. I was also thinking of supplementing it with a rain catching system that I could water the plant around the house with.

About the pine straw, I have a good friend that purchased rubber pine straw that will not need to be replaced every year. It is made from recycled tires, so still a green product!

[Karla with a K]

this is a old thread

but to answer your questions you can do rain barrel collection
Many folks do have wells for their irrigation systems these however are under the current watering restrictions

Those mulches that are made from recycled tires you need to be careful if you have dogs because should they eat it it isn't good for them
Also the rubber can retain too much heat and "cook " your plant roots