Collecting Plants on Public Lands for Utah Landscaping

This fact sheet provides information of collecting, transplanting, and establishing native plants in a landscape. It includes the rules and regulations for collecting plants from Utah wildlands

Watering the Landscape: Make It Easier With Evapotranspiration (ET)

The American lawn is our nation’s single largest irrigated “crop” (Lindsey, 2005). In Utah, roughly 65% of our drinking water is applied to residential and commercial landscapes (Center for Water Efficient Landscaping, 2020). Landscapes are typically overwatered, which is why residential and commercial landscape watering is estimated to be one of the largest sources of potential water conservation in the urban setting (Endter-Wada et al., 2008). Plant materials also provide many environmental benefits, such as erosion control, water filtration, and temperature reduction. Knowing how much water to apply to the landscape can be a challenge and is one reason many Utah landscapes are over-irrigated. One source of information that water managers frequently use to minimize over-application of water and dial in the water needs of plants is evapotranspiration (ET). This fact sheet provides a basic understanding of ET, which is essential for homeowners to optimize plant water requirements and apply water conservation practices

Irrigation System Maintenance

Irrigation system maintenance is necessary to ensure the most efficient use of the water that is being applied. Efficient irrigation is important because over two-thirds of the total water used in the average Utah home is applied to the landscape. With the natural drought cycles that occur in Utah and the growing population, efficient water use is critical. These maintenance recommendations will help you evaluate your irrigation system before using it each spring and also throughout the growing season

Assessing Homeowners\u27 Lawn Management Practices and Preferred Sources of Educational Information

Prior to the development of programing and outreach materials it is important for Extension outreach and education professionals to assess the educational needs and preference of the communities they serve. Survey data was gathered from residents of Cedar City, UT, in an effort to gain an understanding of current lawn management practices and the resources homeowners utilize when making management decisions. In addition, soil samples were collected from a subset of participants to compare nutrient levels to management practices. Survey results found that homeowners accessed multiple sources, with preferences leaning towards the use of friends and family members, the internet, and the point of purchase. Few homeowners are aware of and utilize educational resources and services provided by Extension. This is especially true for those under the age of 50, which poses a challenge to Extension professionals to find effective ways to reach younger generations. It was difficult to form associations between nutrient levels and management practices Although, there was a strong association between those with excessive phosphorus concentration and the application of biosolids. More research needs to be done to examine the distribution and end use of biosolids

Southwest Utah Turfgrass Management Calendar

This is a calendar for turfgrass management for southwest Utah and includes guidelines for seeding, overseeding, sodding, fertilization, mowing, aeration, weed control, and irrigation

Preparing Soil for Turfgrass Establishment - Southern Utah

This fact sheet provides information for successfully establishing a lawn including planning, soil preparation, appropriate seed or sod choice, and an understanding of turfgrass requirements in southern Utah