Your Yard’s New Very Best Friends!
Your Yard’s New Very Best Friends!
Animated Series
Meet Irry Gator and Your Yard’s New Very Best Friends! The animated series features Irry Gator, JayB Blue and Wesley Weasel, using humor and memorable stories to turn everyday irrigation mistakes into practical water conservation lessons.
My Favorite Time of the Year
Don’t be a Water Wasting Weasel
Irry Gator’s new hit song:
Irry Gator and His Water Saving Band
During the spring and summer, about 80% of the water we use is for irrigation, but 50% of that water is wasted.
Try this simple visual check!
Step on the grass.
If it springs back when you lift your foot.
It is probably OK.
Step on the grass.
If it stays flat… the edges curl… or if the blades feel dry to the touch.
It might be thirsty.
During the spring and summer, about 80% of the water we use is for irrigation, but 50% of that water is wasted.
Fix the leaking head
One cracked or tilted sprinkler head can waste hundreds of gallons a month into the sidewalk. Run each zone once a season and watch for pooling, spray hitting pavement, or a head that will not pop up.
Check the rain sensor
A rain sensor shuts the system off when the weather already did the watering. They get knocked crooked, clogged with debris, or simply wear out — and a dead one lets the sprinklers run in a downpour.
Plant what already belongs here
Native and adapted plants evolved with Texas heat and Texas rainfall. Once they are established they get by on a fraction of the water a thirsty imported lawn demands.
Here are some great water savings tips that will help take the guesswork out of irrigation decisions.
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Water DeeplyWhen watering, thoroughly wet soil to a depth of about 6 inches. Shallow watering causes roots to dry out fast. Wait as long as possible between watering cycles to dry out the root zone. This encourages the roots to grow deeper in search of water and makes the grass more drought-tolerant. -
Use a Rain SensorInstall and use a rain sensor to prevent the system from coming on in the rain or when recent rainfall is sufficient. -
Cycle and SoakUse the “cycle and soak” method to reduce runoff. Instead of running the irrigation system continuously, divide the total watering time into shorter cycles with time between each cycle so water can soak into the soil. Water during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and evaporation is lower. Adjust cycle times based on soil type, slope and sprinkler performance. -
Try Drip IrrigationConsider installing drip irrigation in flower beds and other landscaped areas. Water delivered directly to the root zone reduces runoff and evaporation compared with overhead watering. -
Use MulchUse mulch in flower beds and landscaped areas. It helps retain soil moisture, moderate soil temperature and reduce moisture loss around plant roots.
The Evolution of Irry Gator…
The Evolution of Irry Gator…
Irry Gator was introduced in 2020 to help promote Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Water My Yard program through the West Harris County Regional Water Authority. Since then, the program has grown into a broader water conservation campaign featuring Irry Gator, JayB Blue and Wesley the Water Wasting Weasel.
The campaign uses the message “Water Less. Save More.” across animated videos, billboards, social media, IrryGator.com, complimentary billing inserts for MUDs and cities within the Authority’s boundaries, yard signs, community events and other conservation materials.
