Watering Guide

In Utah, it is critical to give your lawn the water it needs. Try the Screwdriver Test: Push a screwdriver into your lawn. If it enters the soil easily, your lawn is probably receiving enough water. If it is difficult to push in, your lawn needs more water.

A thirsty lawn often displays patches that turn a dark blue color. If this patching occurs, increase watering immediately. It is much easier to correct the problem at this stage than when the lawn is brown. A brown lawn usually takes several weeks of consistent watering before greening up.

Instead of watering every day, try watering three times a week for longer intervals. Doing so will help your lawn become healthier, grow deeper roots and avoid disease. To avoid disease and protect a green lawn, water a lawn mid-morning. Finish watering by 11 a.m. so that the lawn has time to dry before the evening. Watering in the morning instead of the afternoon or evening also conserves water because less water is evaporated in the heat of the day.

Mowing Guide

Mowing your lawn does more than just maintain its appearance. If properly mowed, your lawn will grow thicker, resist weeds and be healthier. Watch out for mowing too short, mowing infrequently and using dull blades.

Cutting your lawn too short can damage roots and increase vulnerability to weeds. You should never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blades at a time.

Your mower blade should be sharpened regularly. A sharp blade makes clean cuts that reduce water evaporation and helps keep lawns green. Mowing with a dull blade encourages evaporation and can make your lawn more susceptible to drought.

Never mow your lawn while it is wet or if it is drought-stressed. Grass clippings tend to clump when wet and can suffocate the lawn. Mowing while a lawn is drought-stressed can stress a lawn even more. Avoid mowing the lawn if the temperature is above 85 degrees.