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](https://naes.agnt.unr.edu/images/Programs/Webpage/2019_7fd9c089-15d3-41cf-ba74-f02a385d9ec8.jpg)
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](https://naes.agnt.unr.edu/images/Programs/Webpage/2019_4703200d-899d-4ae7-9ff2-756a7f501c56.jpg)
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.