Lo ca ls ca p e s Un ive rs it y :

The Central Open Shape

H o t , D r y S u m m e r sL a w n C o l d , W e t

W i n t e r sL a w n- l e s s

Th e Ce n t ra l Op e n Sh a p e

1. La w n s h o u ld b e d e s ig n e d

F r o n t Y a r d

R u l e so f

L a w n

2. La w n s h o u ld b e u n o b s t ru c t e d

R u l e so f

L a w n

3. No t le s s t h a n 8 fe e t w id e

R u l e so f

L a w n

4 . La w n is n o t a d e s ig n a t e d p a t h

R u l e so f

L a w n

5. No la w n o n s lo p e s o r h ills id e s

R u l e so f

L a w n

R u l e so f

L a w n

La w n De s ig n , Size & Lo ca t io n

As k yo u rs e lf t h e s e q u e s t io n s :

1. What will I be using it for?

2. What amount will fit aesthetically in my

neighborhood?

3. Where does it fit best in my yard?

Spontaneous family soccer games Kids running happily for no apparent reason

Ho w w e im a g in e w e u s e la w n

Mowing. EVERY Saturday morning Weeding & Edging

W h a t w e a c t u a lly d o

We n e e d le s s la w n t h a n w e t h in k

Co n ve r t in g e x is t in g la n d s ca p e s

R u l e so f

L a w nB e f o r e

Move Sprinkler Heads

Sh r in k a n d d e fin e t h e la w n

Remove lawn from park strips and edges, create lawn shape

B e f o r eA f t e r( Y e a r 1)

Ex is t in g ya rd , re co n fig u re d

“After learning how to landscape for Utah through Localscapes, we were able to complete our front yard makeover. We’re so proud of the results!” --Nanette , 2016 LocalscapesUniversity Graduate

Rectangular Corner Odd-Shaped

W h e re d o e s it fit b e s t ?

Sp r in k le r la yo u t co n s id e ra t io n s

The goal is to be as efficient as possible with the shape and layout.

Sp r in k le r la yo u t co n s id e ra t io n s

A square-shaped lawn is the most efficient.

La w n s h a p e s t o a vo id

Less than 8 feet wide

Corners less than 90 degrees

Hig h ly e ffic ie n t s h a p e s

Ovals & gently curved are okay

too

Squares & rectanglesare most efficient

• Kentucky Bluegrass• Bolero Dwarf Tall Fescue• Bio Blue Bluegrass• Bio Native Wheat Grass• Bio Meadow Fine Fescue

• Blue Grama• Buffalo Grass• Dog Tuff Grass

W a r m S e a s o n

C o o l S e a s o n

La w n va r ie t ie s

La w n a lt e rn a t ive s

C r e e p i n gT h y m e

Sun

T u r k i s hV e r o n i c a

Part-Shade

G r a v e l P a v e r s

Ha rd s ca p e a s Ce n t ra l Op e n Sh a p e

St e p 1:Mark area to be removed

M a r k i n gP a i n t

G a r d e nH o s e

St ep 2: Kill t h e e x is t in g la w n• The lawn must be dead down to the

roots• If the roots are still alive the lawn will

grow back • This process can take several weeks

P l a s t i cS h e e t i n g

C h e m i c a l

S o d C u t t e r T i l l e r S h o v e l

La w n re m o va l

St e p 3: Re m o ve De a d La w n

S e e d S o d H y d r o -s e e d

P l u g s

La w n in s t a lla t io n o p t io n s

La w n m a in t e n a n ce

• Set your mower at 3” or highest setting• Lawn is stressed every time it is mowed• Taller lawn means deeper roots• Deep roots help lawn deal with drought• Don’t bag clippings every time

B e s tP r a c t i c e

Both lawns receive similar amounts of water but they are mowed at different heights.

3 ” M o w

1.5 ” M o w

La w n m a in t e n a n ce : m o w in g

--South Dakota State University

Short lawn allows more sunlight to hit

the soil, helping weeds germinate & grow

La w n m a in t e n a n ce : m o w in g

La w n m a in t e n a n ce : e d g in g

Scalping or beveling of edges leads to unhealthy lawn and weeds.

La w n m a in t e n a n ce : e d g in g

A clean cut edge reduces

problems

Wa t e r in g b e s t p ra c t ice

www.slowtheflow.org

We e k ly w a t e r in g g u id e

1s t

2 n d

3 r d

P o t a s s iu mHelps with drought tolerance

Nit rogenThe most important element in developing a dense, healthy lawn.

Phosphorus

Healthy root development

Law n m ain t enance: fer t i l izing

B e s t P r a c t i c e

Fall: September-October (Most important application of the year.)

Early Spring: March-April

Late Spring: May-June

La w n m a in t e n a n ce : fe r t iliz in g

Aeration:• Core aeration removes 4-

inch plugs from the lawn

• Improves the penetration of water

• It helps to reduce compaction

• Once per year, especially in clay soil

La w n m a in t e n a n ce : a e ra t io n

B e s t P r a c t i c e

La w n m a in t e n a n ce : w e e d co n t ro l

Best Practice:Apply chemicals sparingly but

before weeds go to seed

B e s t P r a c t i c e

The best weed control is a healthy lawn that is mowed and watered properly.

We e d co n t ro l: g ro u n d co ve rs

Best Practice:Groundcover usually outcompetes weeds. Hand pull weeds if

needed.

Gro u n d co ve r : w a t e r in g

• Groundcovers can be watered with spray or drip irrigation.

• Spray will be the easiest to maintain in a central open shape of groundcover.

• Water once per week.

B e s t P r a c t i c e

Ce n t ra l o p e n s h a p e : g ra ve l

Best Practice:Flank open shape with

low-growing green plants to add lushness.

Ce n t ra l o p e n s h a p e : h a rd s ca p e

Best Practice:Should be large enough to make a bold statement and hold the design

together.

Ne x t s t e p s ?

Qu e s t io n s ?