Simplicity 2690770, 2690716 HOW and When to, WATER, Fertilize, Aerate, HOW High to MOW the Grass

	Lawn Care
	& Mowing Information
HOW AND WHEN TO	HOW TO WATER YOUR LAWN
WATER, FERTILIZE &	The best method of watering a lawn
AERATE	is to imitate a slow, soaking rain,
	applying about 1 inch of water.
Most lawns are watered too often,	HOW TO FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN
but with too little water. However	Fertilizing with a slow-release fertiliz-
too much water can allow develop-
	er provides missing nutrients which
ment of diseases with your lawn. It is
	help create slow, even growth.
best to water the lawn only when
	Remember that over-fertilizing can
necessary, and then to water it
	cause harm, and that most fertilizing
slowly, evenly, and deeply—imitat-
	should be applied in the spring so
ing a slow, soaking rain.
	that it will release into the lawn
WHEN TO WATER YOUR LAWN
	through the summer.
When the lawn begins to wilt, the grass’s color dulls, or	AERATING YOUR LAWN
footprints stay compressed for more than a few seconds,	Consider aerating your lawn in spring. Using an aerator
the lawn is beginning to dry out, and needs additional
	to remove cores of soil from the lawn increases the
moisture. The best time to water is early morning to allow
	speed of clipping decomposition and encourages deeper
the water to soak deeply into the lawn and reduce the
	root growth by opening up the soil and permitting greater
amount that evaporates in the hot afternoon sun.
	movement of water, fertilizer and air.

HOW HIGH TO MOW THE GRASS

Cutting the grass too short causes weak, thin grass plants, which are easily damaged by dry periods and pests.

Letting grass grow a bit longer—especially when it is hot and dry—reduces heat build-up, preserves needed moisture and protects the grass from heat damage and other problems.

Cutting off too much at one time shocks the plant’s growth system and weakens the grass plants. A good rule of thumb is the 1/3 rule: to cut no more than one third of the grass height, and never more than 1 inch at a time.

Cut less than

1/3 Optimal cutting point at less than 1/3 from top of grass blade

Cutting down to this area contributes to

thatch problems

Cut Here On	Cut
First Pass	Here On
	Second
	Pass

Tall Grass Requires Incremental Cutting

For extremely tall grass, set the cutting height at maxi- mum for the first pass, and then reset it to the desired height and mow a second or third time.

Don’t cover the grass surface with a heavy layer of clippings.

TP 600-2136-03-UV-SMA LC-1