1) When and how should I water my lawn?

A good watering regimen is the first and perhaps most important component of a healthy lawn. There are a few rules to follow, however.

Never water your lawn during the heat of the day. Watering in mid-day is not only bad for your lawn, it wastes a huge amount of water, because 90% of the water is lost to evaporation.

Water your lawn before the sun comes up.

One inch of water per week is good. Measure water application by marking a tin can one inch from the bottom on the inside, and shutting off the water when it has reached that mark. It is better to give your lawn an inch of water once per week than to do light watering every morning.

Avoid watering in the evening. Evening watering can leave your lawn damp all night, which can lead to encouragement of fungus problems.

2) What is the best height and mowing regimen for my lawn?

Everyone wants his or her lawn to look like a putting green. But in most cases, this is not realistic. Putting greens require huge amounts of fertilizer and almost constant attention, including daily mowing. Encourage a healthy lawn by:

Cutting to between 3 and 4”. This allows the lawn to develop a deeper root system and thus require less maintenance (less water and fertilizer). This is a little longer than many homeowners desire, but the benefits far outweigh the slightly increased height.

Mowing during early or late day. Mowing during the hottest part of the day can lead to tip die-back and browning.

Reduce mowing in the hotter parts of the summer.

Keep mower blades sharp.

De-thatching in the spring, aerating in the fall. De-thatching removes the layer of dead grass that occurs naturally in the lawn, and aerating loosens soil to encourage better air and water movement to roots.

3) What about fertilization?

Fertilization can encourage a greener lawn and can help promote lawn health and vitality. When combined with a weed-control program, a good fertilization program can help your lawn look its best. Consider the following:

The first key to a greener, healthier lawn is preventative maintenance. Keep your lawn cut to a healthy height (3-4”, no shorter), water correctly, and de-thatch and aerate your lawn.

If you apply fertilizer and weed control products yourself, always read, understand and follow manufacturer’s directions. Simply dumping more fertilizer on your lawn more often is the worst thing you can to your lawn.

Grow turf where turf belongs. Grow other things elsewhere. If you need to heavily fertilize turf that is growing in the shade or in other problem areas, consider replacing the grass with a shade-tolerant groundcover or planting a shade garden. Grass requires sun, water, and good soil. If any of these elements is missing, don’t try to force grass to grow. There are hundreds of alternatives to grass.

4) I want a “low maintenance” landscape. What should I do?

Plant sustainable landscapes. Talk with your landscape or nursery professional about “the right plant in the right place.” Landscaping with native plants will require less watering, fertilization and overall maintenance. Exotic plants native to warmer climates may need constant attention to sustain. Plants native to our area will require a minimum of attention. Further, planting shrubs that need to be constantly pruned and sheared is a maintenance nightmare. Choose plants that fit site requirements. Don’t forget – that plant that is so nice at four feet in the nursery could be 30 feet tall in a few short years!

Prune at the right time. Pruning of woody plants is, in most cases, best done when those plants are dormant. While most of us don’t think much about our landscape in February or March, it is best to take care of preventative pruning when our landscape is still “asleep.”

Compost! Every one of our lawns produces valuable, compostable clippings. Clippings are hugely rich in nitrogen and are a constant (and free!) source of material. And every one of our clients produces organic waste – from cooking and gardening - that can be turned into free compost. Contrary to popular belief, composting does not require a huge investment of time, special equipment or acres of space. A 3’ x 3’ area is all that is required to produce valuable compost that can enhance any area of your yard.

Plan. Perhaps the single most important aspect of a low-maintenance landscape is to plan. Much like your home, your landscape should reflect its use. Consider how you use your landscape. Make it work for you, so you’re not just maintaining it because it’s there. Ask yourself what you do in your yard, what you would like to do, and how you can more fully enjoy your outdoor spaces.