RAKE LEAVES, LOOK FOR LEAKS - TexasET Network Landscape Watering Recommendations - "CougarCare Central Austin"

As you can probably imagine with the cool weather and the rain over the weekend, there is NO WATERING REQUIRED this week for warm season grasses, also no watering required for cool season rye grasses.

If you have not already done so, picking up all the fallen trees leaves from the grassy areas will to allow the grass to get some sunlight and dry out. This is the time of year where fungus diseases like brown patch, take-all root rot , and necrotic rings ( aka fairy rings ) can get a foot hold and reek havok on lawns. These diseases typically start in areas where leaves then to accumulate and there is little sunlight and airflow so the grass and the soil does not dry out.

You can learn more from the Texas A&M Agrilife website

https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/answers4you/disease/Take-all.pdf

What should I be doing this time for year with my irrigation system? After the recent freezes, it is a good idea to walk the yard and look for any mushy spots that may indicate a leak in the system. A lot of smaller leaks are easier to find this time of year as they will not dry out and sometimes only become an issue after these extreme temperature swings where the pipes can shrink or contract over long runs.

How to troubleshoot a leak 

1. Check the water meter to see if the small triangle ( unusually red ) is moving or rotating. If it is rotating then

2. Shut off the water to the irrigation system, at or before the backflow.

3. If the triangle STOPS , then there is a leak, mark any suspect areas with a flag or stake and wait a few days to see if the area dries up. 

4. Call us to come out an troubleshoot 512-769-2351 or email service@cougarirrigation.com

Otherwise, enjoy the cool weather.

Cougar Matt out.

Watering recommendation for "CougarCare Central Austin" for the past 7 days:0.08 inches* Date ETo Max Temperature Min Temperature Min Humidity Total Rainfall 01-07-2015 0.11 48 23 32 0 01-08-2015 0.05 37 30 42 0 01-09-2015 0.04 37 32 47 0.14 01-10-2015 0.02 42 33 97 0.37 NOTE: These reported values are hourly averages, not absolute highs and lows. *Recommendations based on the following parameters (assuming no rainfall): Adjust this watering recommendation for any rainfall that you have received during this time period. An error has been detected in the weather data used to report this recommendation. TexasET Weather Station : Austin (Morris Williams) Plant Coefficient : Warm Season Adjustment factor : Normal

This information is provided by the "Irrigation Technology Program" under the direction of Dr. Guy Fipps. If you would like to discontinue service please click on the link above to log into your TexasET profile. To discontinue service for only this station select "modify" from your site list and delete the site. To discontinue all TexasET emails select "Modify your user profile" and uncheck "Receive watering recommendations by email".

This email was sent to cougar.irrigation@gmail.com by Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension

Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension 600 John Kimbrough BLVD, Suite 509 7101 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-7101

HARD FREEZE TONIGHT - TexasET Network Landscape Watering Recommendations - "CougarCare Central Austin"

As you can probably guess, NO WATERING REQUIRED this week ( for warm season grasses ), with more "wintery mix" of weather in the forecast for the weekend and more HARD FREEZES ( 22 degrees predicted for tonight!) on the horizon, a more urgent need is the 3 P's -

1. protect pipes - cover hose bibs - make sure all covers on valve boxes are in place and secure. If you have an RPZ, drain it or install a insulated pouch. Dekorra is the brand we install, although a moving blanket or some towels can be draped over the backflow in a pinch.

http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Insulated-Pouches-s/7546.htm

2. Pets - bring them indoors, or small insulated pads should help them if their outdoor shelter is sufficient to block the north winds, google the K&H Tan Self Warming Crate Pad 

3. Plants - probably the hardest thing to do in central Texas - we have 24 randowm freezes last winter and this year will no doubt be the same.  There are several Tyvek material tarp blankets available, the "kleenex" of these is the planket see below link. http://www.theplanket.com/

Stay warm. Cougar Matt out.

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Watering recommendation for "CougarCare Central Austin" for the past 7 days:0.12 inches* Date ETo Max Temperature Min Temperature Min Humidity Total Rainfall 01-01-2015 0.03 39 34 70 0.44 01-03-2015 0.08 61 38 46 0 01-04-2015 0.08 47 30 40 0 01-05-2015 0.08 64 36 23 0 12-31-2014 0.05 41 36 70 0 NOTE: These reported values are hourly averages, not absolute highs and lows. *Recommendations based on the following parameters (assuming no rainfall): Adjust this watering recommendation for any rainfall that you have received during this time period. An error has been detected in the weather data used to report this recommendation. TexasET Weather Station : Austin (Morris Williams) Plant Coefficient : Warm Season Adjustment factor : Normal

This information is provided by the "Irrigation Technology Program" under the direction of Dr. Guy Fipps. If you would like to discontinue service please click on the link above to log into your TexasET profile. To discontinue service for only this station select "modify" from your site list and delete the site. To discontinue all TexasET emails select "Modify your user profile" and uncheck "Receive watering recommendations by email".

This email was sent to cougar.irrigation@gmail.com by Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension

Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension 600 John Kimbrough BLVD, Suite 509 7101 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-7101

Happy End of Year - TexasET Network Landscape Watering Recommendations - "CougarCare Central Austin"

Happy End of Year - as is "normal" this time of year, no additional watering is required this week.  this time of year, our total rainfall either exceeds or equals the recommended water requirement for most warm season grasses. 

Most all warm season grass are dormant this time of year as the soil temperatures are too low. You can still see some slight "green" areas on some Bermuda and Zoysia grasses this time of year, but they tend to be in protected "warmer" areas like the south side of houses or along the edges of concrete which tend to warm up more during the day. Regarding the "warm edges" along driveways and the greener southern exposure areas that are still green this time of year, these are also the areas that tend to struggle the most in the hot summer months for he same reason, more or too much heat. 

Potted plants or evergreen perennials and bushes can flourish with our cool nights and warm sunny days. I continue to water with my rain barrels select trees and bushes that i am encouraging to grow taller. With the Pecan trees having shed all their leaves,  see 1-2 foot of growth this time of year. Once the Pecans leaf out, most under-story shrubs, stop growing and are well protected from the summer sun and can make it almost a month without supplemental watering.

 Happy New Years and remember to protect fragile plants as the temperatures drop.

Watering recommendation for "CougarCare Central Austin" for the past 7 days:0.18 inches* Date ETo Max Temperature Min Temperature Min Humidity Total Rainfall 12-24-2014 0.1 55 36 38 0 12-25-2014 0.11 64 33 23 0 12-26-2014 0.07 73 53 61 0 12-27-2014 0.06 66 41 72 0.02 12-28-2014 0.06 45 34 45 0.18 12-29-2014 0.06 62 30 41 0 12-30-2014 0.03 46 39 78 0 NOTE: These reported values are hourly averages, not absolute highs and lows. *Recommendations based on the following parameters (assuming no rainfall): Adjust this watering recommendation for any rainfall that you have received during this time period. TexasET Weather Station : Austin (Morris Williams) Plant Coefficient : Warm Season Adjustment factor : Normal

This information is provided by the "Irrigation Technology Program" under the direction of Dr. Guy Fipps. If you would like to discontinue service please click on the link above to log into your TexasET profile. To discontinue service for only this station select "modify" from your site list and delete the site. To discontinue all TexasET emails select "Modify your user profile" and uncheck "Receive watering recommendations by email".

This email was sent to cougar.irrigation@gmail.com by Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension

Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension 600 John Kimbrough BLVD, Suite 509 7101 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-7101

TexasET Network Landscape Watering Recommendations - "CougarCare Central Austin"

We are supposed to get some rain today and tomorrow and as we are into our waste water averaging period for Austin Water Utility, I would recommend not watering this week. If you do decide to water, no more than 1/4"  General guidelines based on typical nozzles 1/4"= 10 mins for sprays, 20 mins for drip, 30 mins for rotors, 40 mins for MP rotatory. Login to your TexasET profile

Watering recommendation for "CougarCare Central Austin" for the past 7 days:0.19 inches* Date ETo Max Temperature Min Temperature Min Humidity Total Rainfall 12-10-2014 0.04 64 48 58 0.05 12-11-2014 0.04 67 56 73 0.02 12-12-2014 0.05 69 60 66 0 12-13-2014 0.07 72 54 60 0 12-14-2014 0.07 74 60 62 0.01 12-15-2014 0.14 71 56 19 0 12-16-2014 0.12 60 46 37 0 NOTE: These reported values are hourly averages, not absolute highs and lows. *Recommendations based on the following parameters (assuming no rainfall): Adjust this watering recommendation for any rainfall that you have received during this time period. TexasET Weather Station : Austin (Morris Williams) Plant Coefficient : Warm Season Adjustment factor : Normal

This information is provided by the "Irrigation Technology Program" under the direction of Dr. Guy Fipps. If you would like to discontinue service please click on the link above to log into your TexasET profile. To discontinue service for only this station select "modify" from your site list and delete the site. To discontinue all TexasET emails select "Modify your user profile" and uncheck "Receive watering recommendations by email".

This email was sent to cougar.irrigation@gmail.com by Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension

Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension 600 John Kimbrough BLVD, Suite 509 7101 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-7101

TexasET Network Landscape Watering Recommendations - "CougarCare Central Austin"

Rain Rain Rain, nice gentle rain,  a good soaking for Central Texas yesterday and today, about 1" so far in the last 24 hours in  Central Austin with more to come throughout the day, more than enough for this time of year for all plants and trufgrasses.  Hopefully some of this rain will end up in the Highland Lakes which now stand at 34% full. Would sure be nice to get to 50-60% full by next spring.

Based on the cooler weather and reduced growth for most plants including specifically warm season turfgrasses in Central Texas, we are seeing the typical seasonal watering requirements of 50% of Summer watering or about a 1/4" of water to sustain warm season turfgrass. Since we have over an inch of rain this past week, your irrigaiton controller should be set to OFF if you don't have a rainsensor.

TexasET Network Landscape Watering Recommendations - "CougarCare Central Austin"

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Watering recommendation for "CougarCare Central Austin" for the past 7 days:0.27 inches* Date ETo Max Temperature Min Temperature Min Humidity Total Rainfall 10-29-2014 0.1 77 64 59 0 10-30-2014 0.11 80 61 48 0 10-31-2014 0.16 73 56 25 0.23 11-01-2014 0.12 66 47 33 0 11-02-2014 0.12 74 46 39 0 11-03-2014 0.08 75 58 59 0 11-04-2014 0.06 74 58 72 0.79 NOTE: These reported values are hourly averages, not absolute highs and lows. *Recommendations based on the following parameters (assuming no rainfall): Adjust this watering recommendation for any rainfall that you have received during this time period. TexasET Weather Station : Austin (Morris Williams) Plant Coefficient : Warm Season Adjustment factor : Normal

This information is provided by the "Irrigation Technology Program" under the direction of Dr. Guy Fipps. If you would like to discontinue service please click on the link above to log into your TexasET profile. To discontinue service for only this station select "modify" from your site list and delete the site. To discontinue all TexasET emails select "Modify your user profile" and uncheck "Receive watering recommendations by email".

This email was sent to cougar.irrigation@gmail.com by Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension

Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension 600 John Kimbrough BLVD, Suite 509 7101 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-7101

TexasET Network Landscape Watering Recommendations - "CougarCare Central Austin"

Enjoying the cooler weather and so are the plants. Since no rain , would water on our normal seasonal budget/adjust  of 80% for the rest of October. If your controller is set to water 1/2" per start or cycle @ 100%, then 80% is about 0.4" which is just about right for this week. Come November 1st, we recommend a seasonal adjustment of 50%.

Watering recommendation for "CougarCare Central Austin" for the past 7 days:0.34 inches* Date ETo Max Temperature Min Temperature Min Humidity Total Rainfall 10-15-2014 0.14 86 52 19 0 10-16-2014 0.18 85 56 22 0 10-17-2014 0.14 85 59 42 0 10-18-2014 0.13 84 65 44 0 10-19-2014 0.11 79 65 54 0 10-20-2014 0.11 79 63 46 0 10-21-2014 0.13 80 61 28 0 NOTE: These reported values are hourly averages, not absolute highs and lows. *Recommendations based on the following parameters (assuming no rainfall): Adjust this watering recommendation for any rainfall that you have received during this time period. TexasET Weather Station : Austin (Morris Williams) Plant Coefficient : Warm Season Adjustment factor : Normal

This information is provided by the "Irrigation Technology Program" under the direction of Dr. Guy Fipps. If you would like to discontinue service please click on the link above to log into your TexasET profile. To discontinue service for only this station select "modify" from your site list and delete the site. To discontinue all TexasET emails select "Modify your user profile" and uncheck "Receive watering recommendations by email".

This email was sent to cougar.irrigation@gmail.com by Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension

Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension 600 John Kimbrough BLVD, Suite 509 7101 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-7101

TexasET Network Landscape Watering Recommendations - "CougarCare Central Austin"

Finally starting to cool off here in Austin at night, Plants are loving it and starting to flower all around town. 2" of rain on Saturday helped a lot.  Based on needing only .39" of water this week, if your rain gauge measred over 1/2" of rain this weekend, I would skip a watering cycle this week. Happy mowing !

TexasET Network via mail137.wdc04.mandrillapp.com	8:01 AM (26 minutes ago)
to me

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Watering recommendation for "CougarCare Central Austin" for the past 7 days:0.39 inches* Date ETo Max Temperature Min Temperature Min Humidity Total Rainfall 10-08-2014 0.17 88 72 46 0 10-09-2014 0.18 90 75 46 0 10-10-2014 0.2 91 75 41 0 10-11-2014 0.07 77 60 76 0.65 10-12-2014 0.06 76 60 82 0.01 10-13-2014 0.2 76 62 38 0.11 10-14-2014 0.19 78 55 18 0 NOTE: These reported values are hourly averages, not absolute highs and lows. *Recommendations based on the following parameters (assuming no rainfall): Adjust this watering recommendation for any rainfall that you have received during this time period. TexasET Weather Station : Austin (Morris Williams) Plant Coefficient : Warm Season Adjustment factor : Normal

This information is provided by the "Irrigation Technology Program" under the direction of Dr. Guy Fipps. If you would like to discontinue service please click on the link above to log into your TexasET profile. To discontinue service for only this station select "modify" from your site list and delete the site. To discontinue all TexasET emails select "Modify your user profile" and uncheck "Receive watering recommendations by email".

This email was sent to cougar.irrigation@gmail.com by Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension

Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension 600 John Kimbrough BLVD, Suite 509 7101 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-7101