Irrigate once per week according to the last digit of your home address as detailed below. If you have a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller that is scheduled correctly, there is no need to make adjustments -- the controller will automatically default runtimes to 100% of scheduled irrigation. Would you like to report watering new plants? Call 352-527-7669. September - November: One scheduled irrigation of 1/2” to 3/4” each week. That is about 30-45 minutes per rotor head zone and 15-20 minutes per spray head zone.
Per ordinance, watering is limited to one day per week according to the last digit of your home address. Irrigation may occur either before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. (not both), as follows:
Addresses Ending in:
0 or 1 -- Monday
2 or 3 -- Tuesday
4 or 5 -- Wednesday
6 or 7 -- Thursday
8 or 9 and locations with a mix of addresses or no address -- Friday
Prefer Florida-friendly natives; delay new sod until cooler weather if you can.
Add 2–3" mulch (keep off trunks) to hold moisture and suppress weeds.
Mow high: St. Augustine 3.5–4", Bahiagrass 3–4"; leave clippings to retain moisture.
Group plants by water needs; hand-water new installs.
Stick to 1 day/week lawn watering per County rules; skip after rain or if soil is damp.
Use your controller’s Seasonal Adjust to dial runtimes back for shorter days.
Check the rain sensor (click test) and repair leaks, tilted heads, and overspray.
Micro-irrigate beds and trees; water deep, not often. Keep water off pavement.
Do a 10-minute leak hunt: meter no-use test, dye-test toilets, fix flappers.
Install WaterSense showerheads/aerators; wash only full loads.
Capture warm-up water in a bucket for plants/cleaning.
Take advantage of a toilet rebate, replace your old toilet with a Water Sense labeled model and receive an account credit. See rebates below.
Available Rebates:
Rain Sensor Replacement — $50
Water Sense Labeled Irrigation Controller — $100 (auto-adjusting controller)
Water Sense Labeled Toilet* -- $100, 1st toilet / $75, 2nd toilet if replacing a toilet that flushes more than3.5+ gallons per flush with 1.28 gpf or less (old toilet typically installed before1995. Pre-approval & photos of existing toilet* required BEFORE toilet is replaced.)
Water Sense Labeled Toilet* -- $25 per toilet if replacing a 1.6 gallons per flush with 1.28 gpf or less Water Sense labeled toilet. (old toilet typically installed after 1995. Pre-approval & photos of existing toilet* required BEFORE toilet is replaced.)
Upcoming Classes:
Sep. 23 Palms in Central Florida
Oct. 7 Fruit trees in Central Florida
Oct. 21 Right plant, Right place
Most classes are held Tuesdays, 2 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Extension Building, 3650 W. Sovereign Path in Lecanto. To view the complete list of classes and to register, visit https://ccufflprogram.eventbrite.com or call (352) 527-5708 for more information.
September Annuals/Bedding Plants: Try ageratum, celosia, zinnia, and wax begonia for color into fall.
Vegetables: It is time to establish strawberry plants. Other veggies to plant now are broccoli, carrot, cabbage, collards, and many others. Perennials and bulbs: Divide and replant those that have grown too large or need rejuvenation. Add organic matter to new planting areas and monitor water needs during establishment. Bulbs: Add color, texture, and pattern to the garden with the many varieties of elephant's ear (Alocasia spp.), calla, narcissus, and zephyr lily. Herbs: Plant Mexican tarragon, mint, rosemary, and basil. Vegetable garden: Prepare the fall vegetable garden if not done in August. Using transplants from your local garden center will get the garden off to a fast start, but seeds offer more varieties to choose from.
Want to add new plants to the landscape? The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection and Landscape Design offers color images, zone hardiness, drought tolerance, light requirements and more: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/
Presentations by Conservation & Wildlife photographer Linda Wilinski. Call 352-201-0149 to reserve a spot.
Lakes Region Library in Inverness, 10am - 12pm. Enjoy a stunning visual journey of Florida’s springs and wildlife through Linda’s lens. Capacity 75. FREE
Central Ridge Library in Beverly Hills, 1:45 - 3:45pm. Discover how photography can deepen your bond with nature, with tips for stunning shots above and below water. Capacity 55. FREE
Monday, September 22nd
Kayak tour of Three Sisters Springs, 10am. Led by the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s springs team scientists. Reserve by Sept. 12. Call 813-445-5220 or email Michele.Sager@WaterMatters.org to register. Capacity 10. FREE
2-Hour Tour of Kings Bay at 9:30am & 11:30am. Call Birds Underwater Dive Center, 352-563-2763 to reserve a spot. Capacity 12 per tour. Free.
Tuesday, September 23rd
Bluebird Springs Park Beautification, 9-11am. Hosted by Citrus County Mosquito Control and Parks & Recreation. This event features native and Florida-friendly planting, a spring clean-up, and educational displays from local partners. Bring your gloves and help restore this natural treasure while connecting with the community. Follow link to register. Call 352-527-7478 for information. FREE
Wednesday, September 24th
Outback Kayak Tour, 10am. Call Hunter Springs Kayaks to register, 352-228-4715. Capacity 10 per tour. FREE.
Nature Cruise the Indian River/Canal to the Indian mounds at 11am. Call Crystal River Waters Sports, 352-795-7033. Capacity 16. Deposit: $10 - refunded at end of tour.
Thursday, September 25th
Tour Citrus County's upgraded & expanded water reclamation facility, 9:00am. Learn how the facility uses advanced water treatment and reduces groundwater withdrawals. To register, email Debra.Burden@citrusbocc.com or call 352-527-7684. Capacity: 20. FREE.
Heritage Eco Boat Tours, Crystal River Preserve State Park, 10:30am & 1:30pm. Call Crystal River Preserve Adventures to register, 855-613-2777. Max 24. Free
Friday, September 26th
Paddle the Crystal River, 8am. Hear the natural history of Crystal River from local preserve and Archaeology Network staff. Capacity: 20. $25 to rent a kayak, follow link to register. $20 if bringing your own kayak, follow link to register. Questions? Email Nigel Rudolph at snrdolph@usf.edu.
Learn the Magic of Crystal River, 9-11am. Join Citrus County Parks & Recreation and Mosquito Control at Fort Island Trail Park for hands-on fun exploring Crystal River’s wildlife, casting a line, and enjoying activities for all ages. Learn how healthy rivers support nature and our community. Follow link to register. Call 352-527-7547 for information. Capacity 25. FREE
Saturday, September 27th
Wildlife Walk on the 7-Mile Loop Trail, 9am. Take photos and sound recordings to document local wildlife using the iNaturalist app with Crystal River Preserve State Park and St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve team. Follow link to register. Call 814-590-4452 for information. FREE.
Presentation of Newly published "Cross Florida Greenway Trail Adventure" by authors Max Schulman and Tom Craig, 3pm. Learn the history of the old Florida Barge Canal construction, the importance of local dams and springs and the need to restore and maintain them. Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, Inverness. Register at 352-341-6428. 150 people.
