THE LAWN SOD HERE IN OUR CONDO COMPLEX (8 BUILDINGS) WAS LAID ABOUT 30 YRS AGO. DUE TO EXTRAVAGANT SPRINKLER SYSTEM WATERING THE LAWN IN SOME AREAS IT IS SO THICK THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO WALK ON. THIS PAST SUMMER'S WATER BILLS OFTEN EXCEEDED $1000. WHICH DRAINS OUR ASSOCIATION FUNDS ANNUALLY.
AFTER A WATERING IT'S COMMON TO SEE WATER RUN-OFF ALONG THE STREET-SIDE DITCH.
I KNOW MANY WATER-SAVING TECHNIQUES SUCH AS GETTING RID OF THIRSTY TROPICALS LIKE OLEANDERS BUT I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MANAGING ST AUGUSTINE LAWNS.
MY THOUGHT HAS BEEN THAT THE OLD GRASS IS LIKE A ROOT BOUND POTTED PLANT...ALL ROOTS NO SOIL TO RETAIN THE WATER. FROM WHAT I'VE READ HERE SCALPING THE THICK GRASS DOWN & THEN APPLYING NOURISHING, MOISTURE RETAINING SOIL IS NOT THE WAY TO GO. I MUST ADD THAT HERE IN HILL COUNTRY THERE IS LITTLE TOP SOIL ATOP NEAR SOLID ROCK IN MANY PLACES.
HAVING LIVED IN DRY TEXAS COUNTIES I'VE LEARNED ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION & TEXAS-FRIENDLY LAWNS, SHRUBS & OTHER PLANTINGS BUT IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS TO MY NEIGHBORS WHO TAKE MUCH PRIDE IN THEIR GREEN LAWNS.
SHORT OF REPLACING THE ST AUGUSTINE AT A MAJOR COST (& I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO SELL THE PLAN TO OTHERS, WHAT CAN BE DONE HERE?
CMCK