Here are 10 tips that will help your lawn stay healthy AND save a lot of water.
- Water Only When the Lawn Tells You
Don’t water on autopilot! Grass shows signs when it’s thirsty — look for dull, bluish-green color, curled blades, or footprints that stay visible. - Skip Watering During and After Rain
If nature’s done the work, your sprinklers can take a break. Delay your next watering until the soil dries out. - Water Deep, Not Often
When you do water, aim for ½ inch of water per session. 1/2 inch is equal to 25 min with spray heads and 45 min with rotors. Deep watering encourages roots to grow stronger and more drought-tolerant. - Morning is Best
Water before 10 a.m. to reduce evaporation and prevent disease. Watering in the heat of the day wastes water, and watering at night invites fungus. - Let It Go A bit Brown in Summer
It’s natural for cool-season grasses to go golden brown during extreme heat. Drought stress is okay and your lawn will green back up when temperatures cool and rain returns. - Adjust for the Season
Lawns need far less water in spring and fall. Don’t water out of habit — adjust your schedule based on temperature, rain, and soil moisture. - Use the Screwdriver Test
Push a screwdriver into the soil. If it slides in easily, the soil is still moist — no need to water. If it’s hard to push in, it’s time to water. - Set It and Forget It? Not Quite.
If you have an automatic sprinkler system, check your controller regularly and adjust for weather. Better yet, install a smart controller with a rain or soil sensor. - Mow High, Water Less
Taller grass shades the soil, helping it hold moisture longer. Set your mower to 3 inches or higher for cool-season grasses. - Healthy Lawns Use Less Water
Aerate, fertilize appropriately, and overseed bare spots as needed. A healthy lawn can handle more stress and requires less frequent watering.
Ready to do more? Replace your grass with waterwise landscaping!
One of the easiest ways to save water is to replace your grass with waterwise landscaping. You could reduce your water use by 60%! Here are some helpful resources to help get you started: Get beautiful waterwise inspiration at Conservation Garden Park. Visit ConservationGardenPark.org to find plant info, classes and events, and landscaping help!See if you qualify for cash incentives at UtahWaterSavers.com. You could qualify for up to $3 per square foot of lawn changed to waterwise landscaping.
Learn Utah-specific landscaping design at Localscapes.com. You can even download some park strip designs you can utilize in your own yard for free!
Find more tips, tools, and guidance at SlowTheFlow.org.
