Keeping Your Grass Green Without Breaking the Bank
By: Liz Hogan
Updated: July 3, 2012
Vahid Amirmoez takes lawn care very seriously.
"I think it's almost a sense of pride, especially among the neighbors but just, you've won the battle," he said.
But right now, he, like a lot of folks, is in a battle with his grass and his water bill.
"I've already seen it, so I've already gotten through that shock and thank God I'm already sitting down, you can't knock me back! And it really did jump up quite a bit."
Josh Summerford, owner of Nutriment Turf Systems, said there are some tricks of the trade to
keep your lawn alive.
Raising your mowing height will help.
"The grass actually uses less water when it's mowed a little taller, it's not as stressed out," he said.
Another important tip? Keep your lawn mower blades sharp.
Clean cut grass will be healthier and greener.
There's also no need to turn on the sprinkler every day.
It's better, Summerford said, to water every three days for a longer period of time.
"If you water everyday the water's going to sit on top, the roots aren't really going to have to push down into the soil to look for that water so then once it does dry out they stress a lot quicker."
According to Summerford, you want to make sure the root zone gets damp. That's about three to six inches into the dirt.
"It's going to help, like I said, help the roots go further down into the soil and they'll be able to withstand the drought better."
And don't hose down your yard in the heat of the day.
"We've actually started watering at night, so at least it will evaporate a little bit less," said Amirmoez.
If your grass isn't as green as Amirmoez's, don't worry. Summerford said will likely grow back next year.
"I think it's almost a sense of pride, especially among the neighbors but just, you've won the battle," he said.
But right now, he, like a lot of folks, is in a battle with his grass and his water bill.
"I've already seen it, so I've already gotten through that shock and thank God I'm already sitting down, you can't knock me back! And it really did jump up quite a bit."
Josh Summerford, owner of Nutriment Turf Systems, said there are some tricks of the trade to
keep your lawn alive.
Raising your mowing height will help.
"The grass actually uses less water when it's mowed a little taller, it's not as stressed out," he said.
Another important tip? Keep your lawn mower blades sharp.
Clean cut grass will be healthier and greener.
There's also no need to turn on the sprinkler every day.
It's better, Summerford said, to water every three days for a longer period of time.
"If you water everyday the water's going to sit on top, the roots aren't really going to have to push down into the soil to look for that water so then once it does dry out they stress a lot quicker."
According to Summerford, you want to make sure the root zone gets damp. That's about three to six inches into the dirt.
"It's going to help, like I said, help the roots go further down into the soil and they'll be able to withstand the drought better."
And don't hose down your yard in the heat of the day.
"We've actually started watering at night, so at least it will evaporate a little bit less," said Amirmoez.
If your grass isn't as green as Amirmoez's, don't worry. Summerford said will likely grow back next year.
