This year’s extended drought has left the lawns and greenery of businesses in Birmingham, Alabama parched as the state’s water supply plummeted. Experts from different Alabama institutions have issued advice on how commercial property owners can keep their landscape thriving while helping conserve the state’s diminished water supply. Their advice covers both guidelines for water conservation and tips on lawn maintenance during drought.

1. Alabama Authorities Issue
Water Conservation Tactics for
Lawns Due to Drought
U.S. Lawns

2. This year’s extended drought has left the lawns and greenery of businesses in Birmingham, Alabama
parched as the state’s water supply plummeted. Experts from different Alabama institutions have
issued advice on how commercial property owners can keep their landscape thriving while helping
conserve the state’s diminished water supply. Their advice covers both guidelines for water
conservation and tips on lawn maintenance during drought.
Expert Advice on Water
Public institutions, such as the Alabama Department of Economics and Community Affairs (ADECA)
and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), from Alabama A & M and Auburn University,
have released advice on how property owners can maintain the health of their lawns in face of the
drought gripping the state.
According to the ADECA, a lawn measuring 1,000 square feet ideally needs 660 gallons of water or
the equivalent of a household’s weekly water consumption. They point out that commercial lawns
only need to receive this amount once every five to seven days. The ACES recommend that property
owners water their lawns in short sessions for more efficient water absorption.

3. Both organizations urge maintenance crews to avoid watering paved areas and instead focus on
hydrating plants and turf.
Further Lawn Maintenance Tips
Aside from giving advice on efficient water usage, the ACES and the ADECA also give tips on
maintaining lawns to make them more drought-resistant. They advise lawn care professionals to
encourage longer turf growth to help plant systems develop deeper root systems for increased water
absorption capabilities. Grounds care crews can accomplish this by raising the blades of their
lawnmowers to at least three inches or the highest possible setting.
Expert commercial lawn care providers are familiar with these techniques and could help their
customer’s properties. The combined effects of these efforts can go a long way in seeing Birmingham
commercial lawns thriving through these dry times.

4. Sources:
https://adeca.alabama.gov/Divisions/owr/Pages/Drought.aspx
https://www.wbrc.com/2019/10/02/what-do-with-your-lawn-during-drought/
https://uslawns.com/locations/al/west-birmingham/
https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/emergency-handbook-home-family/drought-preparation-and-
water-conservation/