Apply three-quarters of an inch of water when supplemental watering is needed. Apply water only when your lawn shows signs of stress, such as footprints lingering long after being made or leaf blades folding in half. Water early in the morning to allow the water to soak into the ground before the heat of the day causes evaporation. Cutting grass close causes the grass stress, making the grass require more water. Fertilize in moderation.
Excess fertilizer promotes thatch build-up and disease and promotes excessive growth.
Wet years followed by dry years is a natural occurrence in Florida. With Florida's fickle weather, water conservation must be a part of our everyday lives. About 90 percent of the population in the St. Johns River Water Management District gets its water from underground sources, known as aquifers - a body of porous sediment or rock, consisting of sand, shell or limestone that allows water to move underground. Typically, well owners cannot pump water during drought conditions if the level of the underground water drops below the level of a well's pipe or if pressure in the aquifer drops. One pump is used to pump water from the well to the aerator and the other pump is used to pump water from the aerator to the house.