Resources (Clink on Links Below)

	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
	UMass- Amherst Center For Agriculture

Tips

Mowing Tips
Don’t cut your grass too short, higher heights will provide for a deeper root system, looks better, and is less likely to have invading weeds.

Try to avoid mowing when the grass is too wet.

Mow your lawn in a different direction with each mowing. Changing the direction will promote a more even cut since the grass blades will grow more erect and less likely to develop into a set pattern.

Keep your mowers blade sharp, which means having the blades sharpened several times during the mowing season. A sharp blade will cut the grass and not tear which will make the grass appear yellow in the heat of the summer.

Mowing height vary during the growing season. Three to three and a half (3.5”) inches is a good height for the Spring and Summer. As the Fall approaches you can slowly bring the height down to 2.5” at the final mowing.

Watering Tips
The best time to water is during the early morning hours. This will allow the moisture to soak deep into the soil before much evaporation can occur. Established lawns require more water, less frequently. Watering every other day for 30 minutes is more effective than watering daily for half the time. Night watering is not recommended, especially on hot humid nights because it can increase some diseases like brown patch and pythium blight. Never water day and night because it may accelerate a disease you may not even know you have.

Tree & Shrub Tips
Pruning Pruning goes a long way toward improving your landscape appearance and protecting your investment.

Pruning will return plants to their natural shape and make them stronger by removing weak limbs and branches.

Pruning plants lets in more air and light benefiting surrounding plants and grass.

Properly pruned plants and trees will grow healthier and look more attractive.