Did you know that fall is a great time to be planting? The cooler temperatures help plants settle in without drying out. It’s also a great time to take stock before planning for next spring. Take advantage of the Regional District of North Okanagan’s (RDNO) brand new pilot Yard and Irrigation Assessment Program to get customized advice on low maintenance for your yard that does well in our dry climate. This pilot program is possible courtesy of the Okanagan Basin Water Board Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant.
During a free assessment at your home, staff can also provide suggestions for timing and testing your irrigation system. For example, taking the time to test your system is important as a broken sprinkler head may go unnoticed if the system runs at 2:00 am. Monthly testing is recommended and it is also a great time to adjust the timer settings to match the weather. Many irrigation systems are set to the maximum run times when they could run for much shorter periods in May, June, and September.
Winterizing your outdoor water taps and irrigation systems is an important way to avoid spring leaks. Simple steps like taking the hose off the outside water tap (hose bib) are an easy way to avoid ice damage. Having a certified irrigation professional winterize your underground irrigation, which is not included in the RDNO’s Yard and Irrigation Assessment Program, is also recommended.
Contact the RDNO at 250-550-3797 to book a Yard and Irrigation Assessment by September 26, 2019 to take advantage of this service. Assessments will be scheduled up until October 3, 2019. Or check out the RDNO Waterwise Landscape and Irrigation Guide, for all of the recommendations covered by an assessment, at www.rdno.ca/waterwise. We also encourage you to subscribe to receive announcements, media releases, and updates by email.