Expert offers tips for watering your yard during drought

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Even with rain in the forecast, there are still parts of Kansas in drought conditions.

Right now, Kansas is either abnormally dry or at severe drought levels, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Wichita remains in stage one of drought. While many are watering their lawns with the summer heat on the way, it’s important to keep an eye on how you’re watering.

A local expert explains best practices for keeping your yard healthy while saving water.

“The number one mistake that gardeners make and homeowners make is overwatering in the spring,” Matthew McKernan, horticulture agent with the K-State Sedgwick County Extension Office, said.

McKernan says overwatering makes your grass and plants more susceptible to drought. He adds that in the spring, you should only water once or twice a week. When you water also matters.

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“Typically we’re going to recommend people water in the early morning hours. This is going to help reduce the amount of water that’s lost to wind and evaporation that happens during the heat of the day,” McKernan said.

With all this being said, you should be mindful of how much water you’re using depending on what your source is: a well or city water.

“Trying to save a little bit of water,” Wichitan Ron Kennard said.

Kennard uses well water and says he waters his yard and plants throughout the week but not too often because he’s worried about water conservation.

“I give them a little bit every other day. I water some every day, just not the same thing every day,” Kennard said.

McKernan says if you have a private well, you should occasionally test the level of salt content in the water.

“High salt content in our well waters that might damage our soil or damage our plants, making drought conditions worse,” McKernan said.

McKernan adds that various types of grasses can absorb water differently. For example, tall fescue needs more water than bermuda.

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