Follow these tips to conserve water, crowd out weeds, and grow a thick, green lawn.

  • Mow high. Set your mower on the highest setting, or about 3 inches, to encourage deep roots, shade out weeds and retain soil moisture. Never scalp your lawn by mowing too low, or you'll get brown spots.
  • Remove no more than one-third of the grass blade when you mow. Grass blades make food for the grass roots.
  • Start the season with sharp mower blades. Re-sharpen mower blades as needed during the growing season to provide clean cuts and prevent tearing of grass blades.
  • Core aerate your lawn in the spring to relieve soil compaction and reduce thatch. After aerating, add a thin layer of compost (no more than one-quarter inch) and water it in. This feeds the soil.
  • Use a mulching mower to recycle grass clippings back to your lawn. This adds nutrients and organic matter and reduces the amount of fertilizer needed to keep your lawn green.
  • Fertilize no more than three times a year, and never in the heat of summer. If you only fertilize once a year, do it in the fall.
  • Water early in the day or in the evening, when temperatures are lower and the wind is calm. Follow assigned-day watering if required by your community. Focus on deep watering to promote deep roots. Use cycles of watering so the water soaks into the ground and doesn't run off.
  • Do a can test to tell if your irrigation system delivers water evenly. See http://www.unce.unr.edu/news/article.asp?ID=1378 for instructions. Adjust your system as needed to provide even water distribution.

Photo of a lawn with cans on it being watered by a sprinkler system
Can tests are a good way to learn if your irrigation system is watering evenly.

  • Adjust your irrigation system to change the amount of water as needed depending on weather and the season. In the spring when temperatures are mild (60s and 70s), watering once a week is often enough. As temperatures rise, adjust the amount of water you apply to replace just the amount of water used by the lawn. See www.washoeet.dri.edu for help.

Photo of an irrigation control system
Irrigation controllers are becoming easier to use all the time. After turning on the system in the spring, be sure to reprogram yours on a regular basis as your lawn's water needs change.

  • Don't water when it's windy or during the heat of day, when evaporation is high.
  • Fix irrigation system leaks and broken heads promptly.

 

Hefner, M. 2019, Tips for a Healthy Lawn, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno. IP

If you need more information.

Please contact Extension's Communication Team for assistance.

 

Also of Interest:

 
Una hormiga negra y marrón comiendo una pequeña miga
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Hormiga Carpintera
Las hormigas carpinteras son unas de las hormigas más grandes que existen en los Estados Unidos. Una colonia de hormigas carpinteras se compone por una reina y varios miles de hormigas obreras.
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-24-10
Una esfinge rayada bebiendo de una flor púrpura.
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Polilla Esfinge de Rayas Blancas
Las polillas Esfinge de Rayas Blancas se alimentan del néctar de las plantas y no causan ningún daño. Además, es importante señalar que las polillas adultas son buenas polinizadoras de muchas de nuestras plantas.
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Una gran oruga verde cuelga boca abajo de una hoja.
Guia para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada ldentificacion y Manejo de las Polillas del Tabaco y del Tomate
Se pueden encontrar polillas del tabaco y polillas del tomate en áreas que abarcan desde el sur de Canadá hasta el Caribe. Estas especies se asemejan bastante y se comportan similarmente.
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Muchas hormigas se reunieron alrededor de un agujero en la tierra.
Guía para los Propietarios de Viviendas en el Norte de Nevada Identificación y Manejo de la Hormiga Cosechadora
Hay 22 especies diferentes de hormigas cosechadoras en los Estados Unidos. El color de las hormigas cosechadoras varía desde el color negro hasta el café y el rojo, miden un tamaño promedio de 1/5 a 1/2 pulgada de largo. Viendo de cerca el cuerpo de una hormiga cosechadora se pue...
 Andrews, M.; Hanson-Mazet, W.; Kratsch, H. with translation by Peterson, M. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
catepillar
A Northern Nevada Homeowner's Guide to Identifying and Managing Cabbage Caterpillars
This fact sheet describes the identifying features, life cycle, plant damage, and control methods for managing common caterpillar pests on various crops in the cabbage family.
 K. Burls, W. Hanson Mazet, H. Kratsch 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-109
 

Associated Programs

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that reduces pests to tolerable levels with lower costs for the pest manager or home gardener and minimal effect on the environment. The IPM program at University of Nevada, Reno Extension focuses on identification and public education with resources for the community including classes, Spanish language resources and a pest directory.