New This Week:
In Case You Missed It:
Seasonal Reminders:
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WATERING RECOMMENDATION
Based on data from the City of Frisco weather station:
0.5" of watering is recommended on your recycle/trash service day this week. Water before 10am or after 6pm, because much of the water applied during the hottest part of the day is wasted as evaporation.
No watering is allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time
(March 14 - November 7, 2021).
Click here for an image to share on social media. |
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GPCD - FRISCO
WATER STATS
The average daily water usage per person in Frisco is known as the GPCD.
This week in Frisco, the GPCD was 191.
Last week, the GPCD was 133.
Calculations are obtained by dividing the total number of gallons used in Frisco by our city's population.
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2021 WATER QUALITY REPORT
The City of Frisco is proud to let its customers know they receive safe, high-quality drinking water. Each year, the city provides an annual drinking water quality report to its customers, as required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Frisco’s water system has a Superior Rating with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards. You can also find weekly water testing and monthly water quality results at friscotexas.gov/waterreports.
To receive a printed version of this report, contact the Public Works Department at 972-292-5800.
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CAN YOUR LAWN TAKE THE HEAT?
Summer is officially here - and we're already facing unseasonably high temperatures. These WaterWise tips will help your lawn survive and thrive, while saving time, work, water and money!
- Plant the Right Stuff. Some grasses fare better than others in our North Texas heat. The most well-adapted options for our area are Bermuda, Zoysia, and Buffalo. Buffalo, especially, develops a deep root structure which is important for long-term drought resistance. It is a native choice that often requires less mowing and maintenance!
- Go "Blonde." Really! When the heat is too much to handle, your lawn naturally slows its growth in order to conserve moisture. This dormant grass turns a “blonde” color during the peak of our summer heat. Perhaps unlike "going blonde" at the hair salon, seasonal lawn dormancy is a perfectly natural process and is not at all harmful.
- Forget the Fertilizer. Grass awoken from this seasonal slumber is very thirsty! Putting fertilizer on a "blonde" lawn will encourage your grass to grow during a time when it has gone dormant to protect itself. Fertilizing in the summer puts harmful stress on your lawn’s root system and will likely cause your water bill to skyrocket - right alongside the high temperatures. Save yourself water, money and extra yard work... fertilize in spring or fall only!
- Mow Higher. Once your grass "goes blonde" for the summer, it grows much more slowly. Leaving it a little taller may help it stay green a little longer during hot spells. Instead of trying to recover from the shock of a short cut, your grass can focus its energy on expanding the root system (thus making it more drought tolerant).
- Follow the City of Frisco's Weekly Watering Recommendations. These numbers are calculated based on data collected in real-time from Frisco's own weather station. Use the Cycle-and-Soak Method to apply the recommended amount of water each week, and your lawn will develop a deeper and more resilient root system.
We're all in this together, Frisco. Let's work early in the day to stay cool, hydrate regularly, and remember to Use Water Wisely!
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PLANTS THAT DETER MOSQUITOS
As warm summer temperatures have us spending more time in the great outdoors, biting insects like mosquitos can really put a damper on those fun summer experiences.
Protecting yourself from mosquitos is an important business. “The Four D’s,” are essential, and make sure to drain any areas with standing water. The next step is to make your home environment inhospitable to these insects. Did you know that the plants you choose for your yard can make a difference?
Many plants make chemical compounds in the tissues of their leaves that serve as a natural insect repellent. While you might already be familiar with some of these plants (i.e. citronella), many of our North Texas native plant species contain insect-deterring compounds and are also well-adapted to our fickle North Texas climate.
- In addition to being shade and drought tolerant (and beautiful), when crushed and rubbed on skin, fresh leaves of American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) have long been touted as an effective means of keeping biting insects away.
- Also referred to as "horsemint," Lemon Bee Balm (Monarda citriodora) is a North Texas wildflower in the mint family that deters mosquitos while also attracting helpful native pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. For a natural repellent, crush the leaves to release the fragrant oils.
- Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida) has a licorice scent that many insects (including mosquitoes) find repellent. In fact, their aroma is so strong to wildlife that marigolds often have the effect of deterring larger species such as rabbits and deer as well – and as such, are often used to line the perimeters of gardens. Mexican mint marigolds are also edible, and are often used in cooking as a substitute for French tarragon.
While sprays may sometimes be necessary to provide complete coverage, plants with insect repelling natural oils can help to reduce the overall number flying in your yard. Place insect-repelling plants anywhere people or animals might frequent – especially in seating areas or around doorways.
Encourage your family and visitors to interact with these plants too; the helpful oils are released every time you brush up against the plant, and crush the leaves!
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"I HAVE A HUNTER CONTROLLER.
HOW DO I SET THE DAY AND TIME?"
In this week's video, Jo demonstrates "Setting the Date and Time on a "Hunter Controller". If the date and time are not displaying correctly on your controller, your system will likely water at incorrect times. This quick fix will reduce your chances of watering on the wrong day or during precipitation.
Don't miss out on the Ask-An-Irrigator video series! Past videos are posted at FriscoTexas.Gov/AskanIrrigator, to help you prepare your sprinkler system for the summer! |
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WATERWISE WORKSHOPS ARE BACK!
Learn about Irrigation, Landscape Design Basics, DIY Rain Barrels, Gardening for Wildlife, and more.
Stay up to date on our latest offerings at www.FriscoTexas.gov/Workshops.
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