Lawn care tips

Keep your lawn beautiful

In order for your Scotts LawnService® treatments to be the most effective, your lawn should be maintained properly. The right mowing and watering schedule can help you produce the lush green lawn you've always wanted.

Mowing

Proper mowing is essential to maintaining your lawn between Scotts LawnService treatments. Mow too low and you can damage the crown, the part of the blade where growth actually occurs. Let your grass get too long and it will bud, completing the last step of its natural life cycle before it dies.

It's best to keep your lawn at a medium-long length. That way, it will have enough surface area for the photosynthesis it needs to grow thick and healthy. The thicker it gets, the deeper its roots will become ... and the more it will crowd out any weeds that try to grow.

Here are a few mowing tips for keeping your lawn healthy all season long:

• Mow only when your grass is dry.
• Keep your mower blade sharp.
• Never "scalp" your lawn by cutting too close to the ground.
• Leave your clippings unless they are long or wet.
• Leave grass longer in hot weather and keep it shorter in shady or cool weather.

Watering

Keeping your lawn hydrated is important. But different grass and soil types along with climate and rainfall patterns combine to require different amounts of watering.

It's best to let your lawn tell you when it needs water. If it loses its spring, it's probably thirsty. When you water it, make sure you hydrate enough to penetrate the roots. Then let the soil almost dry out and begin again.

Ask your Scotts LawnService professional to help you determine the best watering schedule for your lawn.

Water Smart™

Scotts LawnService advocates the Water Smart maintenance program, which helps your lawn grow thick with deep roots that better absorb nutrients. And it uses water more efficiently, making the most of every drop. And that helps protect it against heat, drought and other stresses.