Although coarse in texture and appearance, tall fescue mixes offer good heat and drought tolerance. Longer leaf blades help to shade and cool the ground, reducing evaporation from the soil and lessening the need to irrigate. Irrigate Efficiently Efficient irrigation may mean including an irrigation system. The least efficient system is the sprinkler. It delivers a large amount of water in a short period, but loses excessive amounts of moisture to evaporation.
Sprinklers are the only choice for turf areas.
Low-volume trickle or drip irrigators and soaker hoses deliver moisture over a long period, losing little water due to evaporation or runoff. Check all systems regularly. An improperly calibrated, clogged or leaking system can waste a great deal of water. Carefully probe the root zone to help determine the moisture content in the soil. With some low-volume systems, the surface of the soil will not appear to be saturated, while the root zone will receive the proper amount of moisture.