LVMWD - Conservation - Caring for your lawn

Though popular in local landscapes—lawns are high maintenance and very thirsty. Turf grass ranks among the highest water consuming plants, requiring an equivalent of 60” of rain each year to survive.

You may love your lawn—but excess water and too many chemicals can be unhealthy for the grass plants and the environment. Think of reducing the amount of lawn area on your property and replacing it with California friendly plants, a dry streambed look, low-water-use groundcover, wood chips, stones, or other cover.

A few easy changes in lawn care and expectations (healthy lawns are medium green) can reward you with a healthy lawn and a balanced environment. Here’s how:

	Set the mower higher; mow often and leave most of the clippings to return nutrients to the soil.
	Fertilize moderately in May and September with a natural organic or slow-release fertilizer. (LVMWD’s FREE Community Compost is a great option!)
	Water deeply to moisten the root zone, and water less often.
	Consider alternatives to lawns, particularly on slopes, areas in the shade, near streams or lakes.
	Improve poor lawns with aeration and overseeding.
	Avoid using any more pesticides or herbicides than necessary.
	Natural lawn care works. It reduces water and fertilizer, so you save money. And, it reduces urban runoff. It’s a win-win situation. Give it a try.
	(For more details on environmentally friendly lawn care, see http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Yard/Natural_Lawn_&_Garden_Care/Natural_Lawn_Care/index.asp)

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