Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Orem Lawn Care Emphasizes Water Conservation

By Paulette Mason


The spectacular geography of Utah is stunning, from rugged peaks to eerie rock formations. The area near the Great Salt Lake is the site of several small cities where residents bask in a semi-desert climate moderated by the Wasatch mountains. As the population grows, so does the demand for fresh water. Orem lawn care practices focus on maintaining healthy, lush grass without depleting finite supplies.

Owning a home surrounded by lush expanses of grass is an American tradition, but is best suited to ecosystems with enough water to support a wide variety of native plant life, including varieties of grass. A quaint cottage nestled among flowers is appealing, but impractical for semi-arid regions. The costs are higher, and successfully raising a lush green sward takes time and effort.

In this area, homeowners most commonly plant Kentucky Bluegrass, a variety which thrives when temperatures do not regularly exceed eighty-five degrees. Summer heat in Utah can stress individual plants, resulting in yellowing and withering. Even in seasons of normal rainfall, additional watering is a requirement. Many towns have established strict rules governing water use, and in some areas violators face fines.

The current regional drought has become impossible to ignore, and has forced many people to consider whether it still makes sense to turn on the sprinkler system every day. Maintaining a healthy, green appearance requires applying around one inch of water per week, depending on actual precipitation. No matter how carefully the flow is monitored, some runoff is inevitable, and can add chemicals to the ground water.

For maximum benefit, a system should be set to begin during the early hours just before the sun rises. When there are multiple stations, the best results occur when each is operated for half an hour, allowing plants to re-hydrate before the next onslaught of heat. Watering in the evening is discouraged because it only boosts the growth of certain fungi, forming bare spots that are difficult to eliminate.

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.

A growing patch of greenery instantly attracts the local insects, including white grubs, billbugs, and sod webworms. While pesticides work quickly, they destroy all insects, eliminating helpful predator species. Without careful controls, pesticides are a well-documented hazard. They can be a very valuable tool, but should be employed with caution. Rather than spreading toxins, improving lawn health is a better way to discourage pests.

Many local residents have discovered that hiring a local landscaping service saves time and does away with guesswork. They evaluate specific conditions at a particular home or business, and make recommendations for weed and pest control, as well as fertilizer. A service helps people who are concerned about excess water use practice conservation methods that keep grass growing without waste.




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