Orem Lawn Care Methods Help Conserve Water

| Sunday, July 20, 2014
By Paulette Mason


Utah is one of the most spectacularly beautiful areas in the United States. Early settlements to the east of the Great Salt Lake have matured into modern cities where residents enjoy a semi-desert climate in the shadow of the Wasatch mountains. Like most areas of the West, demand for limited water supplies is increasing as population grows. Orem lawn care focuses on maintaining a healthy appearance without wasting this finite resource.

The tradition of a wide expanse of grass surrounding a home is quintessentially American, and works best in ecosystems supporting a wide variety of growing plants, including grass. While a lush, English-style garden may fit an ideal, it does not translate well to arid locations, and can be expensive to maintain. Keeping grass healthy year round in a dry climate generally takes more time and effort than it does elsewhere.

Homeowners in this area prefer to plant a blend of Kentucky Bluegrass, a variety adapted to temperatures under eighty-five degrees. When that level is consistently exceeded, grass tips may become yellow and burnt due to water stress. Even during seasons of normal rain, additional watering is almost always necessary. Some towns have adopted strict conservation rules, and violations may result in fines.

The drought currently strangling most Western states cannot be easily ignored, and many people are seriously questioning the wisdom of using precious water in a sprinkler system. In order to become optimally healthy, most varieties of grass require around one inch of water each week, which may be moderated by local rainfall. Homeowners are usually careful to monitor runoff, which is nearly impossible to avoid.

To be most effective, sprinklers need timers set for early morning hours just before sunrise. If there are several stations, each becomes most effective when run for about thirty minutes, giving the plants time to re-hydrate before the heat begins. While some people prefer watering in the evening, this can cause additional lawn care problems in the form of fungi, which create barren spots when uncontrolled.

Many local soils are not ideal for growth without adding fertilizers. Popular Bluegrass requires around 2.5 pounds of nitrogen-based fertilizer over each 1000 square feet of sod to create a seasonal patch of green. Adding more than necessary is a mistake, causing the root system to become overwhelmed by rapid leaf growth, and resulting in yellowing. Excess amounts can also cause thinning due to fertilizer burn.

Insects are attracted to healthy lawns, and in this area they include sod webworms, white grubs, billbugs, and others. Pesticides are effective, but kill indiscriminately, wiping out good and bad bugs alike. When used with few controls, pesticides become environmentally hazardous. They are a valuable tool that should be used sparingly, and most experts recommend focusing on improving grass health rather than applying toxins.

Homeowners often find that a hiring local landscaping service is an excellent way to evaluate and control all aspects of lawn growth, care and management, which saves time and eliminates guesswork. From sprinkler systems to regular fertilization, pest, and weed control, lawn care services help homeowners maintain ideal outdoor appearances while helping conserve precious water.




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