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

Extension Associated Contacts

Jill Moe
Jill Moe
 

Also of Interest:

 
A black dog catching a treat in the air.
Women in science: a Q&A with CABNR pet food mercury researchers
Professor Mae Gustin and fellow researchers Lindsay Chichester, Sarrah Dunham-Cheatam, Adriel Luippold and Margarita (Maggie) Vargas-Estrada talk about their work and answer related questions
 Andrews, A. 2019, Nevada Today
Detecting Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Uptake and Translocation in Lettuce to Enhance Food Safety Assessment.
Reclaiming Water for Urban Foodsheds integrates basic scientific research with extension outreach to examine the feasibility of using reclaimed water resources for irrigated agriculture in urban environments.
 Yang, Y., Das, K., Barrios-Masias., F., and Singletary, L. 2018, Extension I University of Nevada, Reno, FS-18-03.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Handling Practices (GHPs): A Framework for Minimizing On-Farm Food Safety Hazards
Approximately 48 million people in the United States get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases each year (CDC, 2011). Produce has continued to be implicated in major foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years.
 Urbanowitz, S. 2013, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Food Safety Tips for Nevada Child Caregivers
This publication will help you to learn more about what caregivers should look for during the preparation of food to prevent foodborne illness.
 Omaye, S. and Wilson, M. 2007, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS-07-28
Harvesting lettuce
Team YHEP Presents: Hydroponics Harvest and Donations
Team YHEP shows you how we harvest and package our hydroponic produce for donation to our food pantry partners throughout Las Vegas!
 O'Callaghan, A., Braxton-Perry, T., Hansen, N., and Ford-Terry, I., 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, YouTube Channel
 

Associated Programs

radishes

On-Farm Food Safety Strategies

The Initiative's Food Safety Program provides resources for growers throughout the state of Nevada. The Initiative partners with the Nevada Department of Agriculture to demonstrate produce safety practices, share guidance and provide training.