September 23rd

By Mutt Mulligan

TurfMutt approved article & water-wise tips

TurfMutt’s saw a news report today about how to keep you grass healthy with less water. It sent his tail wagging in overdrive, so naturally he wanted to share it with you! You can read the story here.

TurfMutt loves the water-wise advice in the story, which offers practical ways to keep your yard healthy. And, he and wants to add these TurfMutt-approved tips for your consideration.

• Plant the right grass
  Choose the right species of grass for your climate and micro climate is a critical first step. Even in drought areas, there are turfgrasses (like buffalo and Bermuda) that do well. Consult the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine what types of turf, trees, shrubs and plants will thrive in your location. Remember, one size does not fit all!
• Water wisely
  Only water your yard when it is necessary. Install watering solutions that help you use less water, but still permit you to have a living landscape. Install smart controllers on irrigation systems.

• Less is more
  Over-watered grass sends its roots horizontally, making it lazy. With just a little water, grass will send its roots deeper – vertically – seeking water. Making your grass work harder lets it do a better job of sequestering carbon and releasing oxygen.
• Brown is ok!
  Finally, TurfMutt also wants to remind you that brown is ok! Especially in drought-challenged areas, we must get out of the mindset that all plants must stay green all the time. Grass will turn brown when it goes dormant, but it’s not dead. Turfgrass is resilient and will green up again when rains return.
• Grasscycle to feed your lawn
  Grasscycling – mowing to the right height and leaving the clippings on the lawn – is an easy way to give your lawn a nutritional boost. The cut grass blades left on the lawn will decompose quickly and return nutrients to the lawn. An added bonus – you save the costs for bagging and lawn removal, and you avoid adding more waste to landfills!

Learn more about the benefits of living landscapes.