DENVER -- Properly maintained grass is a proven winner when it comes to water conservation. Extensive scientific research confirms that turfgrass lawns do not waste water. People waste water.

"The key to water conservation lies in knowing when and how to water existing lawns and how to properly install and care for new sod," said Ed Markham, president of the Rocky Mountain Sod Growers Association (RMSGA). .

Bluegrass lawns are the most common in Colorado. Dormant in winter, bluegrass starts growing in the spring. However, because it is highly drought-tolerant, bluegrass may return to dormancy during the heat of mid-summer as part of its normal process. Homeowners who do not understand this cycle over-water in an attempt to keep the greenest grass on their side of the fence.

RMSGA experts emphasize that bluegrass lawns will thrive on less than one inch of water per week during the growing season. Homeowners unsure of how much water they are applying may obtain more information by visiting the RMSGA website at (www.rockymountainsodgrowers.com).

To further conserve water, RMSGA advises the following procedures for established lawns.

Water in early morning or late evening. Optimum water usage can be obtained by allowing it to soak in and then re-applying within one to two hours. This ensures that all the water is reaching the roots of the plant, encouraging deep rooting. No water is lost to run-off. Skip several days between waterings.

Simply reduce the amount of time you spend watering. A 10 percent reduction will have little impact on your lawn but will go far in efforts to conserve water.

Hand water areas that may be under stress.

Properly manage your lawn fertility needs with a balanced fertilizer program that utilizes controlled-released nitrogen.

Keep sprinkling systems in good working order. Take care of leaks or breaks so that "off" really means "off."

Whether automatic or hand watering, don’t set it and forget it.

Proper installation of new sod starts with an evaluation of soil, addition of organic matter, if necessary, and deep tilling to encourage the development of deeper root systems. Following installation, new sod should receive one-half inch of water daily for the first three days. During the next two weeks, water should be applied in several applications throughout the day to keep moisture in the area where roots are beginning to grow. After two weeks, transition to fewer daily applications and increase the number of days between irrigations.

By the end of the establishment period -- about one month -- new grass should be able to go several days between waterings, depending on the season and the weather.

When it comes to lawns and water conservation, we can have our cake and eat it, the RMSGA believes.

"All it takes is a greater understanding of how to install sod, closer attention to watering and caring for lawns, and a call to the professionals to dispel myths or obtain additional information," said Markham.

For additional information visit RockyMountainSodGrowers.com.