The Grass is Always Greener

You know the old saying, " The grass is always Greener"  well I always wondered how my neighbors grass is always greener, and I can not seem to get mine to look like that, so I talked to some "Really Green Grass Growers- RG3) and here are some things I walked away with.

1. In the summer, water in the early morning, before the sun comes up, if you have a fair amount of sprayers, then 10-15 minutes daily.  This can be costly if you have a large yard, if you live in Francis, it is costly!!
2. Use Weed and Feed, now this varies on the amount and frequency of use.  For good weed control (dandelions in particular) and a "carpet" instead of grass, weed and feed after every mowing.
3. In the fall, fertilize with a fall fertilizer, try any fertilizer to see what works for you, but I have found Scott's works really well in our Utah climate.  You can get this pretty much at any where that sells nursery items, Wal-mart in Park City carries it.  Scott's Fall Turf Builder.
1. You may ask, why fertilize in the fall, everything goes dormant.  Yes you are right they do, however fertilizing, helps strengthen the roots of the grass, which in turn gives them more stability in the spring and summer.
4. Put grass cuttings in the composter or in your flower beds.  Now I think this is an issue of preference, some say to take the grass cuttings out as it kills the new grass, others say mulch, Potato- Patatoe, Tomato- Tamato.  I would say not to leave grass clipping laying on the grass it will kill it, so Mulch or Compost.
5. When mowing, you do not have to give the yard a "Kojack" haircut (Does anyone remember that show?), anyway, a good rule of thumb is to remember what is showing on top, is what the root look like in the soil. 
6. The one time you can shave the grass, is your last cutting of the season.  If you cut is short, it is less likely to rot from the snow sitting on it for a tremendous amount of time.

One other thing- fertilizing in the fall gives you a head start on your Blue Ribbon yard for 2013. 

My Daughter Cassidy