Show Three Rules for Better Lawns by Paul D. Cristensen Utah State University Extension Soil Conservationist Follow these three rules to get your perfect Apply the correct fertilizer at the right Set your mower at the correct and Use water TESTS SHOW nitrogen is the fertilizer Utah lawns Other chemicals are common In most lawn Adding phosphate or potash increases lawn maintenance cost and usually isn't Nitrogen is used in plant growth and is leached out by Since you irrigate it's important you replace To have dark green lawns apply nitrogen twice a early spring and late fall are ideal AMMONIUM NITRATE is a good source for nitrogen Apply it as directed A thirty pound bag has the same amount of nitrogen as pounds of This points out that manure is our highest priced fertilizer when cost of labor and materials arc It's bulky to may contain weed is and straw residues often need raking after the manure is worked into the On the other a well rotted manure is an especially good soil builder for flowering plants and They don't get organic return from the leaves as grass does in IF YOU WANT keep the phosphate content of your soil To do this add phosphate about once every 4 to 5 nitrogen is the lawns key most people prefer commercial fertilizers but the important thing is to 1 know what you're Set your mower clipping height at 1 inches and clip This will allow good root The tops of grass I feed the the shorter the grass the shallower the Thus a grass length of 4 Inch means a shallow root system that will need watering each By maintaining deeper your lawn will show vigor by retaining moisture longer and won't need irrigating as SPRINKLING or irrigating depends on weather In summer lawns require about inch of water each day The soil type may affect watering Some soils hold water better than Sand 1 will hold inch of water per ft of loam will hold about li inches per foot of depth and clay about 2 inches per foot of the root depth is important regardless of soil Sprinklers vary in The area farther from the sprinkler head gets the most Test for even sprinkling by placing tin cans at varying distances from the nozzle You can measure the water depth in the cans to check the water BE SURE YOU HAVE the right nozzle heads for the pressure your supplier can assist you That does it Follow the three points to have the lawn you'll be proud L Fertilize with nitrogen at least twice a year Cut your grass to a inch Water your lawn as roots and soil needs |