April and May can be very dry months averaging only 2.03 inches of potential rain fall. Add to that the higher temperatures, low humidity and wind and you end up with a high evapotranspiration rate. Evapotranspiration (ET) is a process by which water is transferred to the atmosphere from vegetative surfaces. ET consists of two components, evaporation and transpiration. Evaporation is a physical process by which water is changed from a liquid to a gaseous state. Evaporation takes place from free water surfaces such as ponds, streams, wet soils or wet vegetation. Transpiration, the other component of ET, is a plant process of water loss. That is where the term evapotranspiration came from.
Here in South Florida our sandy soils can experience drought conditions after only a few days without rain. This condition is made worse by high temperatures. In order for our lawns to survive with little or no water they must be conditioned before a drought occurs.
Supplemental irrigation usually provides adequate water for lawns between rainfalls. But in the past water management districts have enforced severe water restriction schedules, allowing watering only once a week or less. We are under a twice a week restriction now. It is important to prepare your lawn for drought now so it will survive such severe restrictions as you never know when a drought will occur…