Please join us for a Healthy Lawns Healthy Waters (HLHW) workshop from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Shoal Creek Watershed on January 24th with a focus on Travis and Williamson Counties. This free in-person event from 9 am to 1 pm will be held at the Pflugerville Public Library. Please reserve your spot by registering here.

The HLHW workshop is a residential rainwater harvesting and turf management training that aims to improve and protect surface water quality by enhancing awareness and knowledge of best management practices for residential landscapes.

The training is offered in collaboration with the Shoal Creek Watershed Partnership.

“The Healthy Lawns and Healthy Waters Program aims to improve and protect surface water quality by enhancing awareness and knowledge of best management practices for residential landscapes,” said John Smith, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Program Specialist. Participants will also receive a free soil test bag and soil test analysis through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory.

Agenda

John Smith, AgriLife Extension Specialist, College Station provides information about the design and installation of residential rainwater harvesting systems as well as appropriate turf and landscape species based on local conditions and other practices. “Management practices such as using irrigation delivery equipment, interpreting soil test results and understanding nutrient applications can help reduce runoff and make efficient use of applied landscape irrigation water,” Smith said.

Dean Minchillo, AgriLife Extension program specialist in Dallas, expounds on managing lawns. “Proper fertilizer application and efficient water irrigation can protect and improve water quality in area creeks, and collecting rainwater for lawn and landscape needs reduces stormwater runoff.”

Sierra DaSilva, Watershed Coordinator, Shoal Creek Watershed will also discuss updates on their activities to improve and protect water quality in this watershed during the event.

Soil Testing Instructions – Please Bring Sample to Workshop

Please read soil testing instruction or watch an instructional video to correctly collect your 0-6 inch soil sample and bring it with you in a sealed container to the workshop. We’ll help you transfer it to a soil test bag after the program. You’ll also need to bring a completed Urban Soil Submittal Form. Free testing is limited to one per household.

Samples will be grouped into one submission and sent to the AgriLife Extension Soil, Water and Forage Testing Lab in College Station for routine analysis, including micronutrients, pH, conductivity, nitrate-nitrogen, and other parameters. Please do not mail the soil sample to the lab. We will deliver the samples so that you aren’t charged for the service.

Questions?

Attendees who RSVP to the event will receive updates and materials related to the training via email. They can RSVP online or contact John Smith, AgriLife Extension program specialist, College Station, at john.smith@ag.tamu.edu or 979-204-0573 with any questions.

Additional Resources

Austin

Customers of Austin Water or a qualifying water provider can receive rebates and incentives by taking steps to conserve water. As of 12/6/2023 this is the list of qualifying programs. Visit this site to apply and see more details. Rebates subject to change: https://cityofaustin.formstack.com/forms/austinwater_residential_rebate_application

• WaterWise Landscape – up to $3,000 to convert turf grass to native bed
• Cartridge Pool Filter – up to $250 to replace sand or DE pool filter with cartridge pool filter
• Irrigation Upgrade – up to $1,000 to improve irrigation efficiency
• Landscape Survival Tools – up to $120 for compost, mulch, and core aeration service
• Laundry to Landscape – up to $150 to reuse laundry graywater to water landscape
• Pool Cover – up to $200 for new pool cover
• Pressure Regulating Valve – up to $150 for pressure regulating valve
• Rainwater Harvesting – up to $5,000 for equipment to capture rainwater
• Watering Timer – up to $40 for hose timers
• WaterWise Rainscape – up to $500 for landscape features to retain rainwater

Georgetown

Customers of Georgetown Utilities can receive rebate credits up to $600 per year. Visit this site to apply and see more details. Rebates subject to change: https://gus.georgetown.org/water/rebatesandprograms/

• Digital Hose Water Timer – Install a digital hose bib water timer and receive up to a $25.00 rebate
• Pool Cover Rebate – For customers with a filled pool, the pool cover rebate can cover the purchase of a qualifying pool cover up to $150
• Lawn Aeration and Compost Rebate – a rebate up to $100 to help offset the cost of having your lawn core aerated and composted
• Irrigation Efficiency Upgrade Rebates – three rebates for upgrading your irrigation system’s efficiency up to $150
• Irrigation Check-up Rebate – up to $75
• Rain Barrel Rebate – up to $25
• Xeriscape Conversion rebate – up to $600

Round Rock

Customers of the city of Round Rock, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) or other qualified water providers can receive various credits. Visit this site to apply and see more details. Rebates subject to change: https://www.roundrocktexas.gov/city-departments/utilities-and-environmental-services/water/conservation/rebates/ 

• Rainwater Collection Rebate – up to $600 for the purchase and installation of water collection materials
• Clothes Washer Rebate – up to $100 for the purchase of a high efficiency clothes washer
• Irrigation Systems Rebates – up to $500 for specific irrigation upgrades and/or having your irrigation system checked by a Licensed Irrigator
• Better Bathroom Rebates – up to $500 for the purchase and installation of new WaterSense labeled toilets, showerheads, and faucets to home bathrooms.
• Lawn Aeration and Compost Rebate – up to $100 for core aeration and compost application lawn services

Leander

Customers of the city of Leander and part of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) may be eligible for the following rebates. Visit this site for more information. Rebates subject to change: https://www.leandertx.gov/531/Rebates-for-Water-Efficiency

• Up to $5 per pressure-regulating sprinkler head or nozzle.
• Up to $100 for pressure reducing valves and inline pressure regulators.
• Up to $100 for smart controllers carrying the EPA WaterSense label.
• Up to $250 for soil moisture sensors.
• Up to $20 for rain sensors.
• Up to $250 for a high-efficiency cartridge pool filter.
• Up to $50 for a manual or solar ring pool cover, or up to $200 for a permanent mechanical pool cover.
• Up to $100 for lawn aeration equipment rental or contractor costs.
• Up to $300 for compost and mulch (Does not include Dillo dirt, rock or rubber).
• Up to $50 for a Texas A&M AgriLife extension soil test, or 50% of the cost up to $125 for a Texas Plant and Soil Lab soil test

Other Tips

For other tips about water conservation and planning around the Austin area’s crazy weather, please see Weather Strategies for Austin Gardeners.