Utah Lawns & Xeriscaping Tips to Save Money & Beat the Heat
Utah summers can be brutal on our lawns and wallets. Between the scorching sun and relentless heat, keeping your grass green can feel like an uphill battle. But fear not, fellow Utahns! There are smarter ways to water your lawn that save money and reduce your environmental impact. Here at Spectrum Landscaping Services, we’re passionate about sustainable landscaping, and we’re here to share some water-wise tips to keep your lawn healthy and your wallet happy throughout the summer.
Beat the Heat with Smart Watering Practices:
- Early Bird Gets the Worm (and the Green Lawn): Water your lawn early in the morning, ideally before sunrise. This minimizes evaporation and ensures the water reaches the roots where it’s needed most. *Pair this with aerating your lawn to help get water to the root system
- Ditch the Daily Dose: Frequent, shallow watering encourages shallow root growth. Instead, water deep and less frequently, allowing the water to penetrate the soil and reach the deeper roots. Aim for 2-2.5 inches of water per week. *Pairing this with a smart clock and water sensors can help you achieve that depth.
- Know Your Lawn Type: Different grasses have varying watering needs. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass typically require more water than warm-season grasses like buffalograss. Understanding what you have will help you know how to water more efficiently.
Xeriscaping: Your Water-Saving Ally
Xeriscaping is a landscaping approach that utilizes drought-tolerant plants and water-conserving techniques. It’s a perfect solution for Utah’s dry climate and can significantly reduce your outdoor water usage. Here’s how to incorporate xeriscaping principles:
- Embrace Native Plants: Utah boasts a variety of beautiful native plants that are naturally adapted to our climate and require minimal watering. Consider incorporating native wildflowers, shrubs, and ornamental grasses into your landscape.
- Mulch Mania: Applying a layer of mulch around your plants helps retain moisture in the soil, reducing evaporation and the need for frequent watering. Choose organic mulch like compost mulch, shredded bark, or wood chips for added benefits.
- Group According to Needs: Plant trees, shrubs, and flowers with similar water requirements together. This allows for more efficient watering and prevents overwatering some plants while underwatering others.
Bonus Tips:
- Consider installing a rain barrel system to collect rainwater for watering your plants. It’s a free, sustainable way to reduce your usage on city water.
- Look into a Moisture Manager product to help retain the moisture you use from your sprinklers but also what is in the air. One product you could use is Hydretain Moisture Manager.
- Go to Utah Water Savers and see what rebates you can get. Such as a $75.00 Smart Controller upgrade, see site for details.
- Aerating your lawns can help water get into the root systems and prevent your lawns from getting dry spots.
By following these water-wise tips and incorporating xeriscaping principles, you can create a beautiful, sustainable landscape that thrives in the Utah heat while saving your money on your water bill. Remember, a healthy lawn doesn’t have to be a water guzzler.
Spectrum Landscaping Services offers perofessional landscape maintenance services, including water management solutions. Contact us today if you are interested in our services and learn how we can help you create a water-wise landscape for your home.
