RALEIGH -- Throughout North Carolina, cities and counties are putting mandatory restrictions on water usage in place as residents cope with the efforts of a statewide drought.

Instructors at several of North Carolina's community colleges offer the following tips for keeping your lawns and shrubs healthy during water shortages.

Use Alternative Water Sources. Darrell C. Kiser, Division Chairperson for Environmental and Life Sciences at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, encourages the use of rainwater. "Many of my relatives catch rainwater in barrels," he said. Kiser recommends that homeowners talk with an irrigation specialist about installing an underground storage tank to capture rainwater from gutters. He said that dishwater and rinse water can be used to water plants but he encourages gardeners to limit the amount of soap and detergent. "Cut back on the amount of soap used on days when you plan to recycle bath water, clothes washing water and dishwater. This will prevent soap toxicity that can kill plants," he said.

More Alternative Water Sources. Robin Kohanowich, Director of the Sustainable Farming Program at the Central Carolina Community College campus in Pittsboro, has a number of suggestions any family can follow. "Dump those coolers and ice chests out at the base of shrubbery instead of down the sink," she said. "If you let water run down the drain waiting for it to get hot or cold, catch that water in a pitcher or bucket and use it on plants." Kohanowich also suggests taking shorter showers.

Water deeply. With water restrictions in place, gardeners cannot water as frequently as before. This can be a good thing said Kohanowich. "If you water infrequently but deeply, it will encourage roots to grow deep," she said. Joe Summer, Chair of the Horticulture Technology Program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, agrees. "I recommend watering your plants thoroughly but only once or twice a week," he said. "I also suggest that people use soaker hoses and drip irrigation because they get water where it is needed without wasting water on pavement." Summer also recommends using water at non-peak times (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.)

Mow Your Grass High to Reduce Stress. Robert Dockery, Coordinator / Instructor of the Horticulture Technology Program at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, said that this practice "keeps the weeds from going to seed so you don't double your problems next year. It also enables the lawn to shade itself somewhat to reduce moisture loss." He also said that homeowners should try to keep from walking over their lawns during a drought to prevent further moisture loss.

Mulch. "A good layer of mulch helps conserve water in flower and shrub beds," said Summer. Kohanowich said that leaf litter, pine straw and grass clippings are good for mulch. Cypress bark, coconut fibers and newspapers moistened to the point of decomposition also make good mulch, said Kiser. "But be careful with newspaper," said Kiser. "It might be good mulch for your flowerbeds but your neighbors might not like it when funny papers blow up in their yard."

Don't Fertilize if Poor or No Rainfall. "When rainfall does return," said Dockery, "plan to fertilize your lawn in late September or early October with a high potassium fertilizer."

Twenty-two of North Carolina's 58 community colleges have Horticulture Technology programs. For more information, call the North Carolina Community College System, 919-733-7051, ext. 307.

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Darrell C. Kiser, Division Chairperson for Environmental and Life Sciences at Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory. Phone: 828-327-7000, ext. 4238. Email: dkiser@cvcc.edu

Robin Kohanowich, Director of the Sustainable Farming Program at the Central Carolina Community College campus in Pittsboro. Phone: 919-542-6495 ext. 229. Email: rkohanowich@cccc.edu

Joe Summer, Chair of the Horticulture Technology Program at Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte. Phone: 704-330-6926. Email: joe_summer@cpcc.cc.nc.us

Robert Dockery, Coordinator / Instructor of the Horticulture Technology Program at Western Piedmont Community College, Morganton. Phone: 828-433-4074. Email: rdockery@wp.cc.nc.us

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