Landscape Management: Solutions For A Growing Industry • August 2008
Bruised, but water wiser The Atlanta-area Green Industry took a big hit when Georgia turned off irrigation last year, but owners say they're now better prepared to deal with water issues. Full story >>>
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CREATIVE COLOR YET DROUGHT SMART
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FEB 20, 2008 - Governor Sonny Perdue authorized a significant relaxation of Georgia’s latest outdoor watering restrictions at a recent meeting of the Urban Ag Council at the State Capitol downtown. We are excited that the Horticultural Industries in the state may now share more equitable opportunities for commerce than the prospects we faced under the current Category 4 drought restrictions. This directive from the Governor is, of course, subject to the limitations of local water resources, so our customers all over the metro-Atlanta area will be facing different opportunities for watering as the season unfolds.
You will find at the end of this message the specifics of the new outdoor watering regulations that will commence on April 1, 2008. Both prior to and since Governor Perdue’s announcement, we at Nature Scapes have been developing a modified program for annual color for the summer season. Now that we are reasonably assured that we will be able to water annual color through a reasonable establishment period, we want to inform you on what we have in mind for annual color so that you can let us know how we can help you this year. Here is our plan in brief:
1 We are offering a more limited selection of material this year: drought-tolerant plants that perform in the worst summer conditions: Lantana, Vinca, Wave Petunias, Portulaca, Mexican Petunias, Dracaena Spikes, Variegated Yucca, Setcreasea, Verbena, Scaevola, Dragonwing Begonias, and Duranta. For shade, we are recommending Caladiums, and shade tolerant, perennial varieties of Geraniums.
2 We will likely plant these in stages this year, much as we do Tulip Bulbs after the Pansies are installed in the fall. Caladiums, for example, will be planted in bulb form and prefer warmer soil temperatures. Vinca, too, establishes better in hotter weather, so we would wait to install these as well.
3 Managers of Nature Scapes including Shelley Threefoot Cowan, our Floriculturist, will be contacting you soon on your Spring color wishes or feel free to call Shelley or email her at s3footcowan@nscapes.com. She is ready to help you determine your needs for color in the upcoming season, prepare your proposal, and provide you with any specific information you need to help you select the plants that will provide that touch of color on your properties!
We are trying to estimate our demand for color this season. Please respond as soon as possible to let us know that you are interested in annual color this spring. We must also inform our growers so they can grow the quantities we need for our customers. Thank you for your business and continued loyalty.
We are excited about the challenges that face us and look forward to helping you have a beautiful outdoor environment for 2008!
Yours truly,
Rick Upchurch, President
Nature Scapes, Inc.
Governor Sonny Perdue's Annoucement:
Pending an EPD order issued by Director Carol Couch that provides an exemption to the Level Four Drought Response, hand watering will be allowed for 25 minutes per day on an odd-even schedule between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Even numbered addresses can water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Hand watering is defined as one person with one garden hose with a spray nozzle that shuts off when it is released.
If the water user participates in the Outdoor Water Use Registration
Program, the individual can water newly installed landscapes, up to three days a week from midnight to 10 a.m. for a period of 10 weeks based on the odd-even schedule. The Outdoor Water Use Registration Program is currently being developed and is expected to be implemented by April 1. Georgians may also contact their county extension agents for assistance in getting registered.
… And What it Means to You!
The new watering restrictions will go into effect as soon as the EPD Director issues an EPD Order. Hand watering is allowed by all users for 25 minutes per day, odd/even system. This does not require participation in the registration program cited above.
New landscape installation watering is for all water users (professionals and homeowner/property owners) who complete the Outdoor Water Usage Registration Program. The new exemption increases the new installation watering allowance to a total of 10 weeks, 3 days per week at specified times.
• Installed irrigation systems may be used on new landscape installations under this exemption.
• All other Drought Level 4 Rules remain the same – all other outdoor water use is prohibited.
• Local government continues to have the authority to further restrict these rules and all others rules in Drought Level 4 restrictions, so be sure to check local restrictions.
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Water Restriction Update from Nature Scapes
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OCT 1, 2007 -- As many of you have heard by now, a "Drought Level 4" has been declared for the northern part of the state of Georgia. “Drought Level 4” does not allow for any outdoor watering.
What does this mean for your property and its landscape?
The good news is the commercial exemptions are still in place by state law, which will support the planting of Fall Seasonal Color and includes seeding and overseeding /aeration.
Under the state law, commercial exemptions allow Fall Seasonal Color or overseeding to be watered for 30 days ensure proper establishment of the plant/ grass. Thereafter, cooler temperatures and typical rainfall patterns should maintain the plantings through the winter season.
If Nature Scapes’ services your property's irrigation system then your property is in compliance, since we have turned off all irrigation systems unless instructed otherwise. For properties with a 30 day exemption, then just the zones on the system that had the New Landscape Installation Exemption will be activated: this applies to aerating/overseeding, landscape installations AND will apply to the Fall Color Installations.
Nature Scapes will provide the on-site manager with an exemption form that shows any exemptions on the property, location, date of installation and ending date. If there is not an on-site manager then this notice will be posted on the community bulletin board.
For properties with no current exemptions, we will turn the proper zones on for the fall color when we begin planting mid to late October. After 30 days, once the fall flowers are established, with cooler temperatures and the "normal" winter rains in November and December, they should be fine. We normally begin shutting down irrigation systems December 1 for the season to prevent freeze damage.
"Drought Level 4" Restrictions are in effect for the following counties:
Banks, Barrow, Bartow,Butts, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga,Cherokee, Clarke Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dade, Dawson, Dekalb, Douglas, Elbert, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Fulton, Gilmer, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Harris, Hart, Heard, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Lincoln, Lumpkin, Madison, Meriwether, Morgan, Murray, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Polk, Paulding, Pickens, Rabun, Rockdale, Stephens,
Spalding, Towns, Troup, Union, Walker, Walton, White, and Whitfield
All other counties continue to be at Level 2 (3 day week watering).
Additional restrictions have been placed on Commercial Exemptions* in the following areas:
Cobb County– (http://www.cobbcountyga.gov/)
For a maximum of 30 days after installation, only professionally installed new installation can be watered – this includes seeding and overseeding /aeration:
If installed by a professional landscape company AND LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL IS PHYSICALLY ON THE PROPERTY, new installation can be watered at any hour of the day.
If installed by a professional landscape company but landscape professional IS NOT physically on the property, new installation can be watered by homeowner, but only between midnight and 10 a.m.
YOU MUST HAVE DOCUMENTATION (CONTRACT, INVOICE, ETC. showing installation date to show to enforcement personnel).
After this 30 day period, TOTAL WATERING BAN IS IN EFFECT.
Nurseries/Garden Centers – may maintain, as necessary, retail inventory but on-site landscaped areas are subject to ban restrictions.
If new landscape is installed by homeowner BEFORE the total water ban went into effect (9/20/07) new installation can be watered midnight and 10 a.m. No new installation by homeowner after 9/20/2007 can be watered.
All other exemptions remain unchanged.
THIS BAN affects Cobb and Paulding counties and all their cities, and the city of Mountain Park in northern Fulton County.
Forsyth County– (www.forsythco.com)
Newly laid sod and landscape within the first 30 days (but only within the allowed hours – proof of installation date is required within 5 days of installation – invoices can be faxed to 770.205.4515)
Athens-Clarke Co.(www.athensclarkecounty.com/publicutilities/water.htm)
Commercial exemptions are no longer permitted, however they may apply to the Public Utilities Department's Water Conservation Office for a special permit to continue outdoor water use if they show how they can use less water by implementing a water conservation plan. 706-613-3470
City of Jefferson (http://www.cityofjeffersonga.com)
Professional sod producers and ornamental growers are banned from irrigating using city water.
New Landscape Installation requirements:
New landscape installation watering is limited to fourteen-calendar days following the installation. This includes sod, grass seeding, etc. Any professionally certified landscaper is required to register with City Hall notifying them of the area to be landscaped and the anticipated work completion date. The "clock" will start on the date of completion.
Likewise, so as not to penalize any recently installed landscaping, we require registration through City Hall.
Ultimately we would prefer all landscaping operations be suspended until we are out of this drought situation. If any landscaper, developer or contractor has access to his own water supply he is welcome to make use of it.
Further, under any soil and erosion control permitted activities a landscaper, developer, or contractor will be permitted to install straw, hay, tree mulch, or other approved management practice to protect the ground from erosion.
Oconee County(www.oconeecounty.com)
All new landscaping will have a 30-day exemption provided they have a landscape exemption permit and honor the watering hours of 12 midnight to 8:00 a.m. Anyone installing new landscaping must obtain a permit – homeowners, general contractors, landscape contractors, etc. Permits must be on the premises at all times and readily available. Permits can be obtained from the Oconee County Utility Department (free of charge). Watering new landscaping without a permit may result in a $250.00 fine.
Newton County (www.co.newton.ga.us/) – Have not confirmed changes to these exemptions.
Commercial landscape operations (Per Tuesday/Thursday schedule above – 12 Midnight – 10 AM, Odd-Even applies)
We also recommend that if you have a newly planted landscape by a professional, compile the following information to reference in the event that a warning or citation is received from water enforcement personnel:
1. The date that installation was completed,
2. Exemption 2a with language describing the 30 day exemption.
3. The date that the 30 day exemption period ends.
This will give you necessary data in the event that you receive a warning or citation from water enforcement personnel.
For complete Rules, Regulations and Exemptions please go to the website, www.gaepd.org, click on “Outdoor Water Use Schedule” and then click on “Rules for Outdoor Water Use”.
EPD EXEMPTIONS from Outdoor Water Use Drought Level 4: Outdoor water may be used by the following:
4. Commercial uses
a. Professionally certified or licensed landscapers, golf course contractors, and sports turf landscapers: during installation and 30 days following installation only. Professional landscapers must be certified or licensed for commercial exemptions to apply.
b. Irrigation contractors: during installation and as needed for proper maintenance and adjustments only.
c. Sod producers
d. Ornamental growers
e. Fruit and vegetable growers
f. Retail garden centers
g. Hydro-seeding
h. Power-washing
i. Construction sites (to establish vegetative cover after earth moving)
j. Producers of food and fiber
k. Car washes
l. Water needed to sustain daily business
m. Watering-in of pesticides and herbicides on turf.
More information on outdoor watering and conservation may be found on the following websites: http://www.maltalandscape.com, www.gaepd.org and www.conservewatergeorgia.net
Please feel free to share this email with others who may benefit from this information. We will continue to keep you posted on any updates as they occur.
Sincerely,
Rick Upchurch, President |
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