Turf tips to keep grass greener
10 November 2015
The man charged with keeping Waikato's high-profile grass greener is sharing his knowledge with Waipa residents.
As part of the three-council Smart Water programme, Karl (KJ) Johnson, turf manager for Hamilton's Seddon park and FMG Stadium Waikato, has fronted a series of short videos. They advise householders how to maintain great lawns during the driest part of the year - including during water restrictions.
Kiwis are really fond of their lawns but in summer, when water restrictions come into effect, keeping lawns becomes a real challenge, Johnson said.
This aims to help out home-owners with some simple advice. We look at the types of grass you can sow and grow, the tools and equipment to manage it and some techniques you can use to water your lawn effectively when restrictions don't allow the use of sprinklers.
The six videos - dubbed the Turf Team Tips - will be rolled out through the Smart Water website (www.smartwater.org.nz) as well as on Waipa District Council's facebook page.
Smart Water is a programme run jointly by Waipa District, Waikato District and Hamilton City Councils and aims to conserve water during the hottest part of the year.
Last summer Waipa District Council completely banned the use of sprinklers on January 22. Sprinkler use was restricted by the first week of January.
Waipa's water services manager Tony Hale said predictions of a long, hot summer meant it was inevitable water restrictions would be in place again at Waipa before Christmas.
He noted that water meters were being introduced in Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi beginning in 2016/17. These are the only parts of the Waipa district that do not already have meters. Water meters are already installed in Pirongia and Ohaupo. The majority of farm, industrial and commercial water users in the Waipa district also already have water meters.
Media enquiries,
Contact Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of council)
027 5077 599