5 Efficient Ways to Conserve Water in Your Lawn

The answer is "yes." Like any plant, grass needs nutrients to thrive. Therefore a smart water conservation plan for any lawn starts with feeding. Feeding not only improves a lawn's appearance, it also strengthens and thickens the grass to help the lawn protect itself against drought. A well-fed lawn grows deeper roots to better absorb water and nutrients. Compared to an unfed lawn, a lawn that is fed uses water more efficiently. Here are four easy tips to follow to help your grass conserve water:

• Feed regularly. Regular feedings of Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Food 2-4 times per year will help build a lawn you and your family can enjoy. Regular feeding not only improves your lawn's appearance, it also provides the nutrients your lawn needs to help crowd out weeds and withstand the stresses of normal wear and tear as well as heat and drought. To build deep, strong grass roots during the summer while using less water, use Scotts® Turf Builder® Summer Lawn Food. It’s powered by EveryDrop® Technology to help drive water into hard, dry soil and greens grass with up to 50% less water (when used as directed, greening effects last up to 6 weeks, results will vary due to temperature and turfgrass type). And next time you're faced with seeding a new lawn, consider planting Scotts® Turf Builder® Clover Lawn. With deep roots adept at seeking out water way down in the soil, this kind of lawn requires less watering than some traditional grass lawns.
   
• Set your lawn mower to the right height. Grass mowed at the proper height, and not scalped, develops a deeper root system to better find water and nutrients in the soil. Properly mowed grass can grow and support more roots allowing your lawn to withstand wear and tear, heat, and drought. Taller grass shades the soil keeping it cooler, plus it's softer to walk on and helps cushion falls better than short grass. Most lawns prefer your mower set to one of the highest settings, providing a 3-4 inch cut. A few warm-season grasses, common in the South, prefer to be mowed lower. Zoysia and centipede prefer a middle mower setting, while Bermuda thrives at a low setting, proving a 1½-2 inch cut.
   
• Leave the grass clippings on your lawn. When mowing, leave the clipping on the lawn. Grass clippings break down quickly and return beneficial nutrients to the soil. Mow often enough so too much of the grass blade isn't removed at once. Removing too much of the grass blade shocks the grass and leaves clipping piles on the lawn that also can smother grass.
   
• Rely on rain. Mother Nature usually provides enough water through rainfall for grass to grow strong. If you choose to water beyond that, wait until the lawn becomes dull green in color. Your lawn will also begin to wilt when water is needed, and footprints will remain visible in a lawn that needs water. During hot, dry spells or short periods of drought, you can let your lawn naturally turn brown and go dormant (true especially in the Northern US). Lawns are amazingly resilient and can tolerate drought conditions for up to 2 months if left alone. Grass will bounce back when rainfall and cooler temperatures return, especially if it has been well-fed.


• Install smart watering devices. If you use an irrigation system to water your lawn, install smart watering devices that utilize real-time weather, plant and soil data. Using smart watering devices cuts down on wasted water by applying it only when the lawn needs it. The Gro™ 7 Zone Controller connects to your existing irrigation system and adjusts your irrigation schedule based on local weather data. You can also adjust when your irrigation system runs by using the Gro™ Water Sensor Starter Kit which monitors soil moisture and sends you an alert when your lawn needs water.