| A little green goes a long way | A little green goes a long way | Lawns that stretch from property line to property line just don’t make much sense these days. Aside from chemicals, large lawns with conventional spray irrigation waste one of our most precious resources: drinking water. | <div class="ExternalClass8AB76554F75F4977BCD73CFDD1316F24"><div>Cutting back your grass doesn’t mean giving up your lawn. Instead of thinking of grass as the focal point of your yard, think of it as having a function: a play area, for example, or a visual frame for a larger natural setting. </div><div><br></div><div>Start by <a href="http://www.amwua.org/pdfs/turf_removal-english.pdf">giving up turf areas</a> that don’t get much use, such as those near foundations, along medians, or on steep slopes. Replace these turf areas with groundcover, flower gardens, ornamental shrubs and shade trees that are water-wise and drought-resistant.</div><div><br></div><div>Where you do have grass, <a href="http://www.amwua.org/resource_documents/desert_lawn_care-english.pdf">consider a water-conserving, warm-season turf grass species</a>, such as centipede, zoysia or Bermuda. Of the three, Bermuda cultivars are by far the best at conserving water and are most drought-resistant. </div><div><br></div><div>Keep in mind that Bermuda grass will turn brown in the winter, so including shrubs, evergreen trees and cool-season flowering plants will help enhance the appearance of your landscape year round.</div><div><br></div><div>By choosing a low water-use grass suited to your region, enhancing the soil, and mowing high, you can grow healthy grass with a strong room system that will:</div><div><ol><li>Survive dry and drought conditions when they occur<br></li><li>Resist disease, insects and weeds on its own<br></li><li>Reduce or eliminate the need for chemical applications<br></li><li>Use less water and be easier to maintain<br></li></ol></div></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservicessite/Lists/WAMCalendar/Attachments/19/pexels-photo-119703.jpg | 4/16/2024 7:00:00 AM | |
