Minimize and optimize your lawn areas
Concentrate and limit thirsty grass areas or remove grass altogether. Start by identifying the lawn areas that are struggling and replace them with mulch and low-water-using plants. You'll reduce your maintenance and enhance the look of your landscape - a healthy shrub beats a sickly lawn every time.
Follow a few simple guidelines when preparing and maintaining your lawn areas:
When choosing a grass variety, be sure to select a slow growing, water-saving-variety, that adapts to longer mowing heights (a minimum of two inches).
Deep soaking the lawn is generally more effective than light watering every day. Be careful not to overwater the lawn, as this can suppress the oxygen content of the soil and inhibit healthy grass growth
Have your soil tested for nutrient content. If necessary, add organic matter - a good quality soil will absorb and retain water better than a poor quality one. (Contact a Valley professional for assistance.)
Regularly aerating the soil raises the oxygen content and allows water to reach the roots - both will result in healthier grass and will reduce the amount of water needed for effective lawn maintenance.
When you cut the grass, leave the clippings on the lawn to allow nutrients to return to the soil. Set the mower blades at a minimum of two inches - taller grass reduces evaporation, inhibits weeds and stimulates deep root growth.
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