We’ve entered the hottest part of the year around Utah, and the concept of lawn care is often top of mind for many property owners this time of year. Whether it’s proper mowing techniques and timing, watering considerations or ways of conserving water despite the need to keep your lawn healthy, there are several elements you might be thinking about.
At Logan Extermination, we’re here to help clients around Logan with a huge range of lawn maintenance and lawn care services, plus with other needs like tree care services, pest extermination and more. Let’s go over a few key tips in areas like mowing height and timing, watering techniques, how to increase the depth of your lawn root systems, and some tips and products for conserving water.
Mowing
When it comes to mowing, there are a few areas to be thinking about:
- Mowing height: A common mistake among homeowners is cutting grass too short. This can actually do more harm than good, as it reduces the amount of surface area for photosynthesis and makes your lawn more vulnerable to drought, pests and diseases. We recommend setting your mower blade higher to leave your grass at a minimum height of 3 inches.
- Mowing frequency: Another common mistake is mowing too frequently, which can weaken the root system by removing essential nutrients and moisture from the soil. We suggest mowing once a week or every other week, depending on how quickly your lawn grows.
- Timing: The best time to mow is in the early morning or evening, when temperatures are cooler and there is less stress on your lawn.
Watering
Proper watering is crucial for a healthy lawn, but it’s important to do it in the right way:
- Timing: The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning between 4am-9am. This allows the water to soak into the soil before evaporating in the heat of the day.
- Frequency: Rather than giving your lawn small amounts of water frequently, we recommend giving it a deep watering once or twice a week. This promotes deep root growth and helps your grass become more drought resistant.
- Amount: On average, lawns need about 1 inch of water per week. You can measure this by placing a tuna can or rain gauge on your lawn while watering to determine how long it takes to reach 1 inch.
Increasing Root Depth
One key factor in maintaining a healthy lawn is increasing the depth of root systems:
- Aerating: Soil compaction can prevent air and nutrients from reaching the roots, so aerating once or twice a year can help loosen the soil and promote deep root growth.
- Fertilizing: Proper fertilization can also encourage deeper root systems. We recommend using a slow-release fertilizer in the spring and fall.
Conserving Water
With drought conditions becoming more common, conserving water is important for both your lawn’s health and the environment. Here are a few tips and products to help:
- Drip irrigation: This method delivers water directly to the root system, reducing evaporation and promoting deep root growth.
- Rain barrels: Collecting rainwater can provide a free source of irrigation for your lawn.
- Mulching: Adding mulch around plants and trees can reduce evaporation and retain moisture in the soil.
In terms of products, there are a few good ones that will help. Hydretain is a well-known soil moisture management product that helps reduce watering frequency and conserve water; HuMic is a similar product. Back to Green is another such product, this one a local creation from great Basin Turf.
At Logan Extermination, we’re here to provide you with all the tools, products and knowledge needed for a healthy lawn. From mowing and watering techniques to increasing root depth and conserving water, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to schedule your professional lawn care services.
