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:


2023-2024 Clark County 4-H Volunteer Impact Report This report highlights the achievements of the Clark County 4-H volunteer program in the 2023-2024 year and looks at opportunities to further enhance our volunteer efforts. Tesar, R. 2025, University of Nevada, Reno Reports
Nevada Farmers Markets Strategic Marketing Plan Discover how Nevada’s farmers markets can thrive through digital, community, and on-site marketing. This plan equips markets with tailored strategies, tools, and messaging to boost visibility, vendor success, and community impact. A. Andrews, S. Park, G. Yun, S. Purnell, T. Felts, S. Malik, A. Lopez, C. Holden 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
The Humboldt River Basin: A Chronology of the Humboldt’s Historical Development and Water Resources This document seeks to provide a timely update to the Chronology Series while expanding on contemporary resource management issues. Moreover, as this document aims to clarify, many of these issues are entangled in the Basin’s history of economic expansion, social development, res... Henzl, E.M., and Singletary, L. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada Reno, SP-25-02
Apple Salad For Apple Month, we are sharing a recipe from the “Healthy Cooking the Anishinaabek Way” cookbook. Mazzullo, N. 2024, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, Recipes
Baked Flaked Chicken This light and healthy baked-fried chicken. You can use leftovers to cut up or shred to add to soup or salads, Mazzullo, N. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Recipes

Associated Programs

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

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.

Tips for a Healthy Lawn

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?title=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.

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.

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