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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 ?
