The 10 Best Lawn Care Tips For Herriman, UT

Expert Advice For Healthy Lawns In Herriman, Utah

Located in the southwest corner of the Salt Lake Valley, Herriman, Utah experiences dry summers, cool springs and falls, and long, snowy winters. With high elevations, alkaline soil, and significant temperature shifts throughout the year, maintaining a green lawn here requires more than just occasional mowing. 

If you want your yard to thrive in this unique environment, these ten lawn care tips tailored specifically to Herriman’s climate and soil conditions will help keep your grass healthy and resilient year-round! Don't forget to reach out and ask us what Holmes Lawn & Pest can do for your lawn care needs in Herriman.

1. Apply Fertilizer Strategically Throughout The Year

Utah soils tend to be alkaline and low in nitrogen, which makes regular lawn fertilization in Herriman a necessary part of any successful lawn care routine. However, timing and product selection are critical, as applying too much fertilizer or using the wrong type can burn your lawn or worsen salt buildup, which is already a challenge in low-rainfall regions like Herriman.

Using a slow-release fertilizer in spring helps support new growth, while a fall feeding prepares your lawn for winter. Fertilizing in midsummer should be done with caution, as excess heat and dryness can stress turf.

Recommended Fertilization Times:

• Early spring (March–April).
• Early summer (June).
• Early fall (September–October).

2. Aerate Your Lawn To Improve Soil Health

Core aeration and liquid aeration are important steps for maintaining a vibrant lawn in Herriman. Over time, heavy clay soils and local construction activity contribute to compacted soil, making it hard for roots to access air and water. Aeration involves pulling out small plugs of soil, allowing oxygen and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the roots. 

This process is especially useful in early spring or fall when the grass is actively growing and can quickly recover. Aeration also reduces runoff and enhances drought tolerance, both crucial in a dry climate like Herriman's.

• When to aerate: April–May or September.
• Ideal frequency: Once annually for most lawns; twice for high-traffic areas.
• Pro tip: Rake up thatch across your lawn before aeration for the most effective results.

3. Adjust Mowing Heights Seasonally

Mowing your lawn may seem simple, but improper height or frequency can weaken grass, leaving it vulnerable to drought, weeds, and disease. In Herriman, taller grass during hot summer months helps shade the soil, reducing evaporation and cooling the roots.

In spring and fall, a slightly lower mowing height promotes stronger root development and denser growth. Always use a sharp mower blade and avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time to prevent scalping. Make sure you understand the needs of your lawn’s grass type to ensure you are mowing at the proper height.

Optimal Heights:

• Spring/Fall: 2.5–3 inches.
• Summer: 3–3.5 inches.
• Pro tip: Vary mowing patterns to reduce soil compaction.

4. Use Smart Irrigation To Save Water & Strengthen Roots

Efficient watering is a must in Herriman, where summers are dry and water restrictions are common. Deep, infrequent watering encourages roots to grow downward, making your lawn more drought-resistant. Shallow daily watering, on the other hand, leads to weak roots and thatch buildup.

Installing a smart irrigation controller can help tailor watering schedules based on weather conditions and soil moisture levels, preventing waste and reducing your water bill. Make sure to inspect your sprinkler heads regularly to avoid dry spots or overspray.

• Ideal watering time: Early morning (before 10 a.m.).
• Frequency: 2–3 deep waterings per week. 
• Pro tip: Make sure your system has a rain sensor to avoid excess irrigation.

5. Choose Grass Varieties Suited To Herriman’s Climate

The wrong grass type will struggle in Herriman’s hot summers, cold winters, and dry air. Fortunately, there are several turfgrass varieties that are well-suited to the local environment. Kentucky bluegrass remains popular due to its lush appearance, but it requires more water. For better drought resistance, many homeowners opt for a mix of tall fescue or perennial ryegrass.

These blends provide a good balance of color, hardiness, and disease resistance, especially when seeded or sodded with newer cultivars bred specifically for Utah conditions.

Best Grass Types:

• Tall fescue (deep roots, drought-hardy).
• Kentucky bluegrass (aesthetic appeal, blends well).
• Perennial ryegrass (fast germination, great for overseeding).

6. Prevent Weeds On Time

Weeds are more than just an eyesore, as they also compete with your grass for water, nutrients, and sunlight. In Herriman, annual invaders like crabgrass and spurge flourish in neglected areas, especially in spring and summer.

A dual approach is best by applying a pre-emergent herbicide in early spring to stop seeds from sprouting, then following up with selective spot treatments throughout the growing season. Mulching landscape beds and maintaining proper lawn density will also reduce weed pressure naturally.

• Weeds to watch: Dandelions, clover, crabgrass, spurge.
• Pre-emergent timing: Late March to mid-April. 
• Post-emergent precision: Apply post-emergent herbicides directly to existing weeds, avoiding contact with the surrounding grass.

7. Dethatch When Necessary

Thatch is a layer of decomposed grass stems and roots that sits between the soil and green grass. When this layer becomes too thick (more than ½ inch) it acts like a sponge, repelling water and encouraging disease.

Thatch buildup is common in lawns that are frequently watered and fertilized but not aerated or mowed properly. If your lawn feels bouncy or you notice poor drainage, it may be time to dethatch with a power rake or mechanical dethatcher.

• When to dethatch: Late spring or early fall.
• Warning signs: Water pooling, patchy growth, spongy feel.
• Pro tip: Don’t overdo the raking of thatch, as a small thatch layer is normal and even healthy.

8. Monitor For Billbugs & Grubs

Herriman lawns are occasionally impacted by pests like billbugs, white grubs, and sod webworms. These insects feed on turfgrass stems and roots, leading to thin, yellowing patches that can be easily pulled up from the soil.

Preventive treatments in late spring can help minimize infestations, especially if you've noticed damage in previous years. Keep an eye out for increased bird activity or surface tunneling, both of which can signal insect problems under the surface.

• Pest season: May through August.
• Control options: Preventive grub control products, targeted spot treatments.
• Pro tip: Grab grass blades and pull up; grub damage will cause turf to peel back easily.

9. Do A Thorough Fall Cleanup

As leaves begin to fall and temperatures drop in Herriman, it’s essential to remove debris from your lawn before winter sets in. A thick layer of leaves or uncollected clippings can smother grass and promote snow mold and other fungal diseases.

Fall is also the time to edge your lawn, cut back ornamental grasses, and give your yard one final mow. These steps help your lawn breathe over the winter and make spring cleanup easier.

Fall Tasks:

• Final mow (around 2 inches).
• Remove leaves and debris.
• Cut back perennials and trim edges.

10. Winterize Your Lawn & Irrigation System

Herriman winters are cold and snowy, and unprepared lawns can suffer serious damage. The most important winter prep task is to blow out your sprinkler system to prevent cracked pipes. Additionally, applying a winterizer fertilizer rich in potassium helps grass roots store energy for early spring growth.

Don’t forget to safely store garden hoses, clean up lawn tools, and cover vulnerable plants if heavy snow is expected.

Winter Prep Checklist:

• Sprinkler blowout.
• Winterizer application in late October.
• Drain hoses and store equipment.

If you are looking for the answer to any of your lawn care questions in Herriman, UT, Holmes Lawn & Pest is here to help! Call us today for a free quote on any of our lawn care services in Herriman.