A sprinkler system audit!  What is that?  You might think that the last time you heard about an audit it was by the IRS and it ended up costing someone dearly!  If this is your reaction to the idea of a sprinkler system audit, think again.

First of all, a sprinkler system audit will not cost you one red cent.  In fact, it most likely will save you money by reducing the amount of water you apply and could result in a healthier lawn.

City of Fort Collins Utilities has trained and equipped a number of volunteers to audit sprinkler systems for City water customers. Some of these auditors are Colorado Master Gardener volunteers from Larimer County.

Many of our systems put a lot of water on the sidewalk, street and driveway.  No matter how much water you put on those places, grass just won't grow.  And, since most of us run our systems at night we do not see how much water is missing its intended target. A sprinkler system audit can help locate these malfunctioning areas.

It has also been found that many homeowners apply more water than their lawns need.  Current City of Fort Collins watering restrictions allow watering twice each week. Applying one half inch of water twice each week is usually sufficient to grow a healthy, green lawn (more could be needed during the hottest part of the summer).  The big question is how long do you program each zone to run so that one half inch of water is applied.  This is where the sprinkler system audit can help. Volunteers, with the help of the homeowner, can determine just how long each zone should  run to apply the correct amount of water.  Hand water any persisting brown spots. This will help conserve water by not overwatering the other areas.

Auditors will also point out any sprinkler heads that are not working properly or have gotten out of alignment.  The homeowner, however, is responsible for any repairs or adjustments.

Remember that we are living in a semi-arid environment and we must use water wisely.  It is a limited and precious resource.

If you are a City of Fort Collins Water Customer, you can schedule a free sprinkler system audit by calling 416-2666.

Q:  I have been hearing a lot lately about some shrub roses that were developed in Canada.  How hardy they are and how well they do here with much less effort than some of the hybrid tea-types of roses.  Could you tell me about them?

A:  There are two types of shrub roses that were developed in Canadian research centers: one, developed in Ottawa with several of the roses named after Canadian explorers, is called the "Explorer Series".  The other, from the Morden Research Center in Manitoba, is called the "Parkland Series". Both are vigorous in our area and very winter hardy.  Many have repeat blooms throughout summer with little maintenance, grow on their own roots (rather than grafted as traditional hybrid-tea types) and are resistant to diseases.  They come in both shrub forms and climbers. Both are vigorous in our area and very winter hardy.

Q:  I noticed lots of little round holes in the leaves of my tomatoes.  When I looked more closely I saw many shiny little black bugs that jumped when I tried to examine them.  What are these?

A:  These are probably flea beetles.  There are several kinds that feed primarily on leaves of specific types of plants creating the appearance of tiny "shot holes".  They seldom cause significant damage to plant health but can be unsightly on ornamental plants. If necessary they can generally be controlled organically by "trap crops" (plants highly favored to attract them away from main crops) and by the application of diatomaceous earth applied as a dry powder. Horticultural oils and some "neem" insecticides act as repellents.  Chemically, Sevin, permethrin and rotonone can provide short-term control.

Q:  There are several semicircular cuts along the edges of my rose leaves-some are fairly deep. What is causing these?

A:  A female leafcutter bee--a solitary bee, not a hive-dweller, makes this type of cut.  The cut leaf portions are used to line nest cells where solitary larvae form. Leafcutter bees are beneficial insects and important pollinators of many flowers including alfalfa.  Damage caused by leafcutter bees seldom results in serious injury to the plant and control is not warranted.

Have a great time and stock up on fresh Colorado produce at the following farmers' markets:
1) Saturday mornings 8 a.m. to 12 noon, Remington and Oak, July 12-October 4,
2) Thursday evenings 5-8:30 p.m. Laporte Avenue between Howes and Mason,  July17 - August 21 and
3) Wednesdays 2-6 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. southwest corner of Harmony and Lemay through October 28.

Remove faded roses by pruning back to just above a leaf node with five leaflets.  Fertilize and water deeply to encourage the next round of bloom.  Mulch to conserve moisture.

We have had a great spring for fruit blossoms but now is the time to thin the heavy fruit set.  Thin apples, peaches and nectarines to 4-inches apart, plums to 2-inches apart.

Start a second crop of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower to transplant later for a fall garden.  Start cool weather greens (lettuce, spinach) in a shaded spot or in a container.

Slugs can devastate your plants and the only sign of them may be a slime trail.  They are night feeders that hide during the day.  Put out containers of beer - any kind - to drown them or loosely rolled newspapers where they will hide during the night.  Throw away the newspapers and the slugs the next morning.

The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.

Gardening and Insect Fact Sheets are available on-line by clicking HERE.

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This page updated:  June 27, 2003