Now more than ever YOU need to use Water Keeper Krystals ® that absorbs up to 400 times it weight in water under your new sod and Follow up with our Water Retaining Spray that CUTS water use by 50%
Water Keeper Krystals ® History of Super absorbents Super absorbent polymers were first introduced by Union Carbide in the mid 60's. They were first developed in the 70's to grow plants in the desert. However, they were used very little by commercial growers due to their relatively high cost in comparison to their swell capacity. In the early 80's, super absorbents began to be widely developed for the baby diaper market (hundreds of millions of pounds). This led to newer, higher swell polymer, some with long lasting life that was suitable for agriculture. Polymers like Water Keeper Krystals ®have been recommended by various Cooperative Extension Services as a beneficial soil amendment. The fine powders have also been used by nurseries for bare root dipping. Now, a growing use has been seen in nursery container mix, landscaping (especially golf courses), vegetable and flower gardens and orchards. Super absorbents likeWater Keeper Krystals ®are compatible with any type of living plant, annuals, perennials, ornamental trees and shrubs, bulbs, vegetable and turf. 1+ million pounds were used in 2003 for these applications. Water Keeper Krystals ®can fulfill the needs of farmers, nursery growers and golf course landscaping professionals who require a soil amendment which would outperform conventional potting soils and organic amendments relative to their water holding, releasing and water saving capacity.
Water Keeper Krystals ™is made of environmentally safe super absorbent polymer crystals designed for all house plants, trees, shrubs, vegetable and flower gardens, lawns and golf courses, as well as crafts.
Reduce plant watering by 50% while saving time and labor Get deeper root penetration, hence better access to nutrients Insure successful transplantation with minimal follow-up maintenance Time-release water-soluble fertilizers Aerate the soil without any mechanical Why Buy Water Keeper Krystals ® Super Absorbent Polymers? Lower Prices!!! Water Keeper Krystals ®is priced competitively with savings up to 50% compared to leading brands. Better Product
Water Keeper Krystals ® is a cross-linked potassium-based polymer specifically formulated for use in agriculture and horticulture. Many competitor products are sodium-based super absorbent polymers. They degrade within one year in the soil and they add unwanted salinity levels.
Environmentally Safe With an essentially neutral pH, Water Keeper Krystals ®super absorbent polymers will break down into ammonia, carbon dioxide and water with no residual toxicity. Save on Water and Fertilizer Water Keeper Krystals ® will reduce your residential and commercial watering needs and frequency in half as well as retain your applied fertilizers and nutrients for plant use. How much water can it release? Research shows thatWater Keeper Krystals ® super absorbent polymers can release up to 95% of the water absorbed and make it available to the plant. Remember that 1 lb of Water Keeper Krystals ®can absorb 47 gallons of rain water and 30 gallons of tap water. Experience & ServiceWith our knowledge of specialty polymers, we can help you with specific applications of super absorbents. Case Study: How Much Can You Save With Water Keeper Krystals ®? Frank and Felicia are two homeowners living in Tampa, Florida, where water costs $2.09 per 100 cubic feet (first tier rate). They each buy a large house with a beautiful yard. They each install a 1/4 acre lawn and set up a 2000 square foot garden. Felicia heard about the benefits of Water Keeper Krystals ® and she applies the super absorbent polymer crystals when installing her new lawn and setting up her garden. Frank does not. Let's see how Felicia will save over $2,500 in the next 7 years by reducing her outdoor water usage by 50%. Yearly Water Usage
Usage without WKK (unit: 100 cu ft)
Cost without WKK ($)
Usage with WKK (unit: 100 cu ft)
Cost with WKK ($)
1/4 acre lawn
311.11
$650.22
155.555
$325.11
2000 sq ft garden
87.17
$182.19
43.585
$91.09
Savings
Yearly Water Savings
Amount of WKK (lbs)
Cost for WKK ($)
Over 1 Year
Over 3 Year
Over 7 Year
1/4 acre lawn
$325.11
40
$137.20
$187.91
$838.13
$2,138.57
2000 sq ft garden
$91.09
10
$55.80
$35.29
$217.48
$581.85
Note: first year savings include the purchase ofWater Keeper Krystals ®good for 7 years
Conversion: 1 cubic foot = 7.4805195 gallons
Here at a Sod Farms of Pasco we are also concerned about the current water situation here in the tri county area. We will always recommend to our customer to conserve water at all cost. With the most current scientific information and up to the date equipment and chemicals. We can all conserve water. Here are some tips.
Know and follow your local watering restrictions, but don't water just because it's your day. The basic principle of lawn and garden watering is not to over water. The time to irrigate will vary depending on your soil type and your location in the state. Only water grass on your watering day when you see signs of wilt, such as grass blades that are folded in half and blue-gray, and footprints that remain on the lawn
Check your irrigation system frequently to ensure you are watering the grass or shrubs, not paved areas To determine how long you should run your sprinkler, place five to seven empty straight edged cans (about the size of an average tuna can) at different distances away from the sprinkler. Run the sprinkler for 15 minutes and measure the amount of water collected in each can. Calculate an average water depth and determine how long it will take to apply one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water.
Mow lawn high to encourage grass roots to grow deeper and hold moisture longer
Water slowly to reduce runoff and to allow deep penetration
Check faucets, sprinklers and spigots for leaks
Dig out water-loving weeds and cultivate soil often.
Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas.
Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass, use a bucket of soapy water and use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
Apply Water Crystals before laying new sod
Apply Water Retaining Chemicals every three months (you can cut watering 50% with these chemicals)
We at a Sod Farms of Pasco will keep up with the changing status of the watering conditions and keep you post as best we can. Also there is loads of information at the South West Florida Water Management District's web site at www.WaterMatters.org
For a State surrounded by Water
Below is a list of local government water restriction contact information (web and/or telephone).
Always refer to your local government or utility restriction guidelines first. Some may have different restrictions in place. If your area is not listed, please follow the District’s water restrictions.
PASCO COUNTY LAWN AND LANDSCAPE WATERING RESTRICTIONS All Water Users: Utility Customers and Citizens with Private Wells, Pasco County Remains on a One-Day/Week Lawn-Watering Schedule. Your lawn and landscape irrigation day is based upon the LAST NUMBER of your address.
0-1Monday
6-7Thursday
2-3Tuesday
8-9Friday
4-5Wednesday
Mixed ORNo Address - Friday
Non-Watering Days - Saturday and Sunday
Reclaimed Water Customers Only: Reclaimed water irrigation remains on a two-day/week schedule and is also based upon the LAST NUMBER of your address.
0-1Tuesday and Friday
6-7Tuesday and Saturday
2-3Thursday and Sunday
8-9Wednesday and Sunday
4-5Monday and Friday
Mixed ORNo Address - Wednesday and Sunday
Lawn/Landscape Watering Times of the Day are Restricted for ALL Water Use. You may only water from 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. OR6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., on your designated day. (For example, if your address is 4205 Palm Drive, your watering schedule is Wednesday, 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. OR6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.) Violators will be subject to enforcement and fines. In response to this latest water shortage declaration by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Pasco County and all other Counties and cities within the Tampa Bay Area must step up enforcement.Pasco County Code Enforcement officers and Utility personnel will increase their joint efforts to enforce water restrictions.No warning will be issued, and all violations are subject to a minimum fine of $30.00, plus court fees. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS (APPLIES TO ALL WATER SOURCES) Florida Administrative Code 40D-21
New Lawns (Sod, Plugs & Other Turfgrass Material) New turfgrass may be watered for a 30-day total establishment period. ·From day 1 to day 15, new or replacement turfgrass may be watered every day of the week. ·From day 16 to day 30, new or replacement turfgrass may be watered 3 days per week. - Even addresses only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday - Odd addresses only on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday • Only during authorized hours, from 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. • Isolated to new lawn area only. • Exemption begins on the day of installation. • On the day of installation, new turfgrass may be irrigated once without regard to the allowable watering times. • An entire zone of an irrigation system may be used if the zone waters an area that contains at least 50% new turfgrass material. • Partial zone or dispersed plantings shall be watered by some other, more targeted means of supplemental irrigation. New Landscaping (Plants & Shrubs) New plant materials may be watered for a 60-day total establishment period. ·From day 1 to day 30, new landscape may be watered every day of the week. ·From day 31 to day 60, new landscape may be watered 3 days per week. - Even addresses only on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday - Odd addresses only on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday • Only during authorized hours. • Isolated to new plant area only. • Exemption begins on the day of installation. • On the day of installation, new plant material may be irrigated once without regard to the allowable watering times. • An entire zone of an irrigation system may be used if the zone waters an area that contains at least 50% new plant material. • Partial zone or dispersed plantings shall be watered by some other, more targeted means of supplemental irrigation. Pressure Washing
• Pressure washing for preparation for painting or maintenance is allowed.
• Annual pressure washing is allowed as part of a planned maintenance program to maintain a warranty or prevent a “slip and fall” hazard. Trees, Shrubs, Flowers & Vegetables Hand-watering is allowed with a shut-off nozzle or other water efficient device. Restricted to before 8 AM or after 6 PM. Lawn Chemicals
Irrigation to water-in necessary lawn chemicals is not restricted when required by the manufacturer or when required by law. Chemical applications shall be watered during authorized watering hours and on regularly designated irrigation days when possible. Low-Volume Irrigation Devices
Landscape (groundcover other than lawn) may be irrigated on an as-needed basis without regard to the normally allowable watering days if Low-Volume Irrigation technology is used. Restricted to before 8 AM or after 6 PM. Irrigation System Testing & Repair
May be operated for cleaning and maintenance with an attendant on site - no more than once per week and one test should not exceed 10 minutes. Fountains, Waterfalls & Artistic Water Features
May be operated as necessary when it also provides a necessary water quality benefit
All other outdoor aesthetic uses shall be limited to four hours a day – the user shall post the normal hours of operation for the aesthetic use Vertical Mowing (Verticutting)
May only receive two extra waterings: immediately upon removal of the thatch and then one week later to water-in a complete fertilizer. Overseeding
No special or extra watering is allowed for overseeding an existing lawn. Wasteful & Unnecessary Use of Water
The following wasteful and unnecessary water uses are prohibited:
• Allowing water to flow from an unattended hose. • Hand-watering a lawn on a restricted day or more than once a day, except when used for spot treatment. • Hosing-down a driveway or solid surface when a dry method could be used or hosing-down a structure when a dry method could be used.Allowing water to flow from a broken sprinkler head, outdoor faucet, malfunctioning plumbing or irrigation system after receiving verbal or written notice. Questions concerning Pasco County lawn water restrictions can be answered during normal business hours by calling (727) 847‑8131. Additional information about water restrictions is also available at the Southwest Florida Water Management District's website at www.WaterMatters.org, or call 1-800-836-0797, extension 2298, during normal business hours. It’s a Drought- Be Part of the Solution, Conserve Water.
This is what happened in 2009 be prepared for the following: Additional Phase IV Water Restrictions for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties
On March 31, 2009, the District Governing Board voted to tighten water restrictions for all of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Note: Residents in the three-county area using other sources of water, such as private well water or water from other utilities, remain under Modified Phase III restrictions.
In addition to continuing to restrict lawn watering to one day per week, Water Shortage Order No. SWF 09-012 (as modified) includes:
Effective Dates
These restrictions go into effect on April 3, 2009.
They are scheduled to expire on June 30, 2009.
Affected Areas
Modified Phase IV restrictions apply to customers of Tampa Bay Water member government utilities, other utilities that receive water from the member governments (either directly or indirectly), and Aloha Utilities in Pasco County. See list at the end of this page.
Residents irrigating their lawn and landscape using water from the City of Tampa’s Water Department are to follow the City of Tampa’s Emergency Ordinances effective on April 3, 2009, which only allows hand watering.
Residents in Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas counties using other sources of water, either private well water or water from utilities not affected by the Phase IV measures, remain under the current Modified Phase III restrictions.
Lawn Watering Schedule
Same Days: All lawn watering remains limited to the same once-per-week schedule. Check with your local utility if you are unaware of your watering day.
Different Hours:
Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).
Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for properties more than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).
6–8 a.m. and 6–10 p.m. for properties of any size, using sprinkling cans, hand-held hose equipped with automatic shut-off nozzle, or using a hose equipped with a portable sprinkler.
Note: The same lawn area may not be watered by multiple means, in other words, persons may not use an irrigation system and a hand-held hose to water the same area twice on their day.
Landscape (non-lawn) Watering Schedule
Limited Days:
Watering of landscapes using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads) or a hand-held hose equipped with a portable sprinkler remains limited to the same once-per-week schedule as lawn watering.
Watering of landscapes (non-lawn) using a sprinkling can, hand watering with a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation is now limited to three days per week. Micro-irrigation includes soaker hoses, drip tubes, microjets and other forms of low-volume irrigation technology. Even addresses may use any of these forms of efficient irrigation on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd addresses may do so on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Different Hours:
Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).
Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for landscapes more than one acre, using an in-ground rotor and spray irrigation system.
6–8 a.m. and 6–10 p.m. for landscapes any size, using a sprinkling can, hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation.
Establishment Irrigation for New or Replacement Lawns
Same Days: New and replacement turf (sod, plugs, seed, etc.) continues to have a 30-day establishment period:
On days 1–15, the new or replacement turf may be watered any day of the week.
On days 16–30, the turf may only be watered approximately every other day. Even-numbered addresses may only water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may only water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Different Hours:
Midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than one acre in size, using an in-ground irrigation system (rotor and spray sprinkler heads).
Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for landscapes more than one acre, using an in-ground rotors and sprays irrigation system.
6–8 a.m. and 6–10 p.m. for landscapes any size, using a sprinkling can, hand-held hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle, or micro-irrigation.
Establishment Irrigation for New Landscaping (non-lawn)
Different Days: New plants (other than lawns) now have a new, 60-day establishment period:
On days 1–15, new plants may be watered any day of the week.
During days 16–45, new plants may be watered approximately every other day. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
During days 46-60, new plants may be watered two days per week. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday and Saturday. Odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday and Sunday.
Hours:
Midnight to 4 a.m. for landscapes less than one acre, using an in-ground rotors and sprays irrigation system.
Midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for landscapes more than one acre, using an in-ground rotors and sprays irrigation system.
6–8 a.m. and 6–10 p.m., landscapes any size, using hand watering or micro-irrigation.
Fountains
Aesthetic fountains and other water features are now prohibited.
Car and Pressure Washing
Residential car washing is now prohibited.
Charity car washes are now prohibited.
Commercial car wash operations are allowed. However, cars for sale or lease may not be routinely washed; they may be washed immediately prior to sale or lease.
Pressure washing conducted by commercial businesses is allowed for certain purposes, which include cleaning to eliminate a safety hazard, preparation for painting or similar activity, maintaining a paint or material warranty, and as needed to meet federal, state or local health and safety standards.
Water-Based Air Conditioning
Government facilities, common areas in malls, lobbies of multi-tenant office buildings and similar public spaces using cooling towers or other water-based cooling must keep the temperature at or above 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are exemptions for health and safety, such as hospital facilities.
Remaining Restrictions
Unless modified by the new Phase IV order, Phase III restrictions remain in place in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. This includes the use of irrigation wells and utilities not affected by the Phase IV order.
