How to reduce the amount of water needed for lawn care.

In the hot summer months saving money on the water bill is easy to do, no tools are needed, nothing to purchase, and you just may save some time between mowings. Most people know that their lawn-mower has a height adjustment located near each wheel. Knowing how to take advantage of this standard option will save money on the water bill and will require the reader to mow the lawn less frequently.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Existing Lawn Mower

1. Typical lawn mower. Find lawn mower owner's manual and locate the section the shows how to raise and lower each wheel.
2. Raise the lawnmower to the highest setting in dryer weather. Raise the lawn mower to the highest setting during dry weather.
   When the grass is tall it keeps the ground nice and shaded, which helps keeps valuable moisture in the ground. As a result the homeowner will not need to water as often.
3. Less water is needed when the grass is taller, and weeds have a hard time growing too. When the grass grows and varies in height cut at the maximum setting. The lawn will take on a nice smooth look but will be slightly taller. Because watering was at the minimum the grass will grow slower and need less water than laws cut at lower levels.
   
   Because weeds compete with grass for sunlight don't be surprised to see that weed growth has been reduced as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Trying to determine what height is best? Set mower to the highest setting first then go down a setting on the next cut, if grass is too long for your liking.
• Composting grass clippings instead of collecting grass at each cut also helps, but only if the clippings are about an inch to two inches long and does not rest on top of the lawn after cutting.
• If your lawn is maintained by a service contact them when you would like the grass to be cut at a higher length. This may save you a few cuts per summer as well.
• You may not know what to do with all the time you save not hauling hoses around the yard.