If you hadn’t noticed, there’s a lot of talk in the news lately about water… or specifically, a lack of water. Most of the State of Utah and surrounding areas have much lower snowpack than usual, and it has raised concerns about water shortages this summer. Fortunately, Cache Valley is in better shape than nearly every other area in the State, but we still need to be conscious of our water use, and in many communities in the valley, there will be restrictions this year. Lawns and landscaping use a large amount of water, and using our water resources wisely can really help our communities, and contribute to refilling the Great Salt Lake. If you want to make a difference this year by using less water, follow these simple suggestions.
Start by performing a watering assessment in your own yard. Where are you using the most water? Turf maintenance? Landscape maintenance? Vegetable garden? And then determine what easy steps you can take to save water. A drip system uses 90% less water than a sprinkler. A soaker hose uses 70% less water than a sprinkler. Using a smart timer over even a clock-based one can reduce water use by 25-50%. Add some of those numbers up, and you could watch your total water use drop anywhere from 50-70%. Replacing sprinklers with drip lines or soakers is easy and doesn’t cost a lot. Many smart timers are inexpensive and can be run from anywhere with a wireless connection and a smart phone. These are simple solutions to really drive water wise practices.
Homeowners are constantly looking for ways to maintain a beautiful lawn while using less water, and new turfgrass varieties are making that easier than ever. Modern cultivars like dwarf Turf-Type fescue and rye grasses deliver the lush look people love while requiring significantly less water and maintenance. These new, improved grasses now look and feel like Kentucky bluegrass but perform better. Benefits include:
Insect and disease resistance
Dark green color from early spring through late fall
Excellent drought tolerance
Staying green with up to 50% less water.
These varieties provide the classic lawn look with much greater water efficiency. It’s also much easier than you think to replace old turf grasses or incorporate new varieties into your mature lawn. I’ve replanted 2000 square feet of turf in my own yard, by myself, in one afternoon. It also doesn’t cost as much as you think. The cost to replace your park strip is less than the cost of the water that you will save in one season to keep it green. The Cache Water District is even doing a promotion this year to help homeowners replace their old turf - especially park strips - with new and improved, drought tolerant grasses. You can find more information about their turf replacement program at Cachewaterdistrict.com.
Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy lawn and yard. Applying a soil conditioner like HuMic helps soil absorb and retain more water while also breaking down thatch and dead grass. Moisture-management products like Back to Green or Hydretain help lawns use water more efficiently by increasing water absorption and improving soil moisture retention. These products can reduce water use by up to 50%, with results lasting about 90 days. Just two applications per year can significantly reduce irrigation needs. Last year I applied Hydretain in early May, before I even turned on my sprinklers. It extended the time my turf needed between watering by double, and I only watered 3 times before the middle of June. An additional application in July helped reduce my watering through the summer by 30% for the 3 hottest, driest months of the year.
Proper fertilization encourages strong root development in both new and established lawns. Regular applications of a fertilizer promote vigorous growth, and improved drought resistance. For early spring, I recommend a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer with high potassium (like 23-3-16) and some iron to promote new root development, encourage early spring greening, support vigorous new growth. Timely applications of the right fertilizer improve the lawn’s ability to resist drought stress.
By combining smart watering practices, improved grass varieties, HuMic, proper fertilization, and moisture-management products, homeowners can maintain a vibrant lawn that stays greener longer and performs better through Utah’s hot, dry summers—while conserving water. Let’s do our part, and find ways to keep our valley green and beautiful, with a lot less water.