Train your turf

A little tough love now will benefit your lawn throughout the growing season. Springtime is when grass grows its feeder roots that will capture water all season long. Later it will grow more blades, then store nutrients for winter.

If you give your lawn too much water now, the roots will remain shallow in the top inch or so of the soil. Shallow roots dry out sooner, so the grass will stress and its brown spots will beg for water. Don’t water if there’s precipitation, and test soil moisture before you do water. Probe the lawn with a screwdriver. If it’s hard to push the screwdriver into the soil, it’s time to water.

When the top inch of soil is allowed to dry out while the roots are in growth mode, the roots will grow deeper in search of moisture. By encouraging those water-seeking roots to grow deep, you can help develop a healthier, water-wise lawn.

In the heat of July, you’ll be glad you trained the roots when the deep-rooted lawn is less stressed and requires less water.