Maintaining a lush lawn can be hard for Sioux Falls residents. The four distinct seasons obligate homeowners to adapt their lawn care practices constantly. Snowy winters, dry summers, and a six-month growing season can be a challenge even for the most dedicated homeowner. Worry no more: In this article, we’ve come to your rescue with the best lawn care tips for Sioux Falls.
We’ll talk about how to mow at the right time, discuss some watering tips for the region, and include additional tips so you can have the best lawn in the neighborhood.
6 Sioux Falls Lawn Care Tips
1. Mow at the Right Height
Kentucky bluegrass and fescues are among the best grasses for Sioux Falls and the most commonly used in South Dakota lawns. Mow at the right height and with the right frequency to obtain a healthy lawn and avoid heat stress:
- Mow at 3 inches or higher during summer, always following the 1/3 rule (never mow more than 1/3 of the grass canopy).
- Avoid mowing during a heavy drought and periods of high-heat.
- Adapt the mowing frequency to your grass growth and the season:
| Spring | Summer | Fall |
| Mow once or twice a week depending on your grass growth. Spring is when your grass will grow most quickly, so mowing twice a week may be necessary. | Mow once a week or every ten days depending on the grass growth. Cool-season grasses (such as Kentucky Bluegrass and fescues) go dormant in the summer, so reduce the mowing frequency. | Mow once or twice a week, according to your grass growth. After summer, cool-season grasses will emerge from dormancy and start growing again. |
Side note: If you have a warm-season lawn, the recommendations will differ. Read our Guide to Growing Warm-Season Grasses to learn more.
Lawn Mowing Tips
In Sioux Falls, grass taller than 8 inches tall is considered nuisance vegetation, which is a violation of the city ordinance. Since you already know how often you should mow, here are some handy tips to mow your lawn the right way:
- Use your grass clippings as mulch: Especially during dry summers, using the grass clippings as mulch can add fertilizer and nutrients back to the soil, encouraging your turf’s health.
- Adjust the mowing height: If your grass is growing faster than expected, you’ll have to mow more often or mow taller if you stick to the same schedule. To avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the grass canopy, adjust the cutting height a notch higher. You can adjust back to the regular cutting height after two or three mowings.
- Avoid mowing after watering the lawn: You should not mow your lawn when it is wet. Mowing a freshly watered lawn is a recipe for lawn diseases and fungi. On top of that, it will clog your mower. So remember to mow after your lawn has dried out.
- Clean your mower regularly: One of the best ways to maintain your mower is to always clean the mower after you’re done using it. Make sure to turn off the engine and disconnect the spark plug before cleaning.
2. Water Properly
Watering practices will vary according to the season and the homeowner’s preference. Some prefer to keep their lawns green during the dormant season, while others opt for letting the grass go dormant.
Water your lawn as often as indicated for your grass type in the spring. But in the summer, since it is the dormant season for cool-season grasses, there are some important aspects to consider. Here’s how you can water your lawn in the absence of rainfall during the summer:
- If you allow the grass to go dormant in the summer: Water lightly with 1/4 to 1/2 inch every three weeks. Allowing your grass to go dormant is recommended by South Dakota State University during periods of drought. Watering during the summer or drought periods will help the roots and rhizomes stay alive until the grass can recover in the fall.
- If you want green turf during the summer: Water deeply, but less frequently. With 1 to 1.5 inches of water applied in one to three deep waterings per week, you can keep your lawn growing and green.
- Either way, always water your lawn early in the morning when it is not windy. This gives the soil time to absorb the water before evaporating in warm temperatures. At the same time, the grass will dry throughout the day, preventing fungi and diseases.
- In the cool months of fall, you can reduce the frequency to the regular watering needs of cool-season grasses: 1 to 1.5 inches per week.
Lawn Watering Tips for Sioux Falls
Make sure to follow the City of Sioux Falls’ watering schedule for homes and other facilities in the city:
- The city prohibits irrigating your lawn from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Hand-watering vegetation is allowed if done with a hose with no leaks and with a handheld nozzle that shuts off when released.
- The city has a watering calendar: Even-numbered addresses should water lawns on even-numbered days, while odd-numbered addresses may water lawns on odd-numbered days (as of the time of writing).
- Wasting water is not allowed. Fix any leaking hose or sprinkler, and adjust your irrigation system so that it is pointed at the lawn. Ensure the water doesn’t hit sidewalks or the street.
Pro tip: The City of Sioux Falls encourages residents to harvest rainwater by building rain barrels. That way you help save water by reusing that rainwater on your lawn. And if you want a cheap DIY option, the City of Sioux Falls has a guide on how to turn your trash can into a rain barrel.
3. Dethatch and Aerate
The best time to dethatch or aerate your lawn is either during spring or late season (late summer to early fall):
- Aerating in the spring helps to break up the compaction caused by heavy snow and get your lawn ready for the new season.
- Aerating and dethatching in the late season allows the grass to recover in good growing conditions before the winter.
Dethatching and Aerating Tips
- If you’re aerating in the spring, be sure the topsoil is not frozen.
- Use a shovel to dig into the turf and check the thatch layer. A 1/2-inch thatch layer (or higher) is a sign that you might need to dethatch your lawn. Because of its rhizomes, Kentucky bluegrass turf is prone to excess thatch.
4. Fertilize at the Right Time
Late season is the best time to fertilize your lawn:
- For low-maintenance lawns: Fertilize once around Labor Day.
- For high-maintenance lawns: Fertilize once in late August or early September and then a second time four weeks later, around October.
The second best time to fertilize cool-season lawns is in the spring. If you don’t know your soil type, you could benefit from testing your soil.
5. Get Rid of Weeds and Nuisance Vegetation
In Sioux Falls, noxious weeds are considered nuisance vegetation and against the city ordinance. Noxious weeds include:
- Russian knapweed
- Purple loosestrife
- Leafy spurge
- Canada thistle
- Perennial sow thistle
- Hoary cress
- Salt cedar
If you spot one of those around, you can notify the city through its contact page.
But what should you do about the weeds in your yard? How you treat your weeds will depend on which type of weed they are:
- Broadleaf weeds: Broadleaf weed control is preferably done in September with post-emergent products labeled for your weed problem.
- Grassy annual weeds: To effectively get rid of crabgrass and other annual grassy lawn weeds, it is best to treat them in late April to May with pre-emergent herbicides.
6. Get Ready for New Lawns
Planting new sod or overseeding your lawn is best done in mid to late August, when the frequent rains and cooler temperatures make it easier for the new grass to establish. Just be mindful that new lawns in Sioux Falls need watering permits. (For more information on the permits, contact the city’s Public Works.)
FAQ About Lawn Care Tips for Sioux Falls
When Should I Fertilize My Lawn in Sioux Falls?
The best time to fertilize your lawn in Sioux Falls is during the fall. Spring is the second-best time to fertilize.
When Should I Aerate My Lawn in Sioux Falls?
Aerating can be done during the late season (late summer to early fall) or during spring.
Can I Plant a Pollinator Garden in Sioux Falls?
Yes, you can plant a pollinator garden in Sioux Falls, and you are even encouraged to do so. The Minnehaha Conservation District partnered with the City of Sioux Falls to create a Prairie and Pollinator Garden Kit, available for $15 to local residents.
Contact a Pro
Now that you are equipped with the best lawn care tips for Sioux Falls, you’re ready to get going. But if you’re still unsure of how to start or simply want to sit back and let a professional do the work for you, contact a trusted lawn care pro in your area. Get in touch today and enjoy your new lush lawn.
Main Image Credit: AlexiusHoratius / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
