Utah water agencies outline end‑of‑season yard care to save water and prevent winter damage

A virtual presentation hosted by the Utah Division of Water Resources reviewed end‑of‑season yard care and water‑wise landscaping practices for homeowners and landscapers. Casey Finlinson of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District led the session and answered audience questions on irrigation shutdowns, tree protection and winter maintenance methods.

The session emphasized water conservation and compliance with the Division—s landscape incentive program, which offers up to $3 per square foot for lawn replaced with water‑efficient landscaping (the program—s per‑square‑foot amount varies by location). "If you are planning to participate in the program, please do not kill your lawn until the project has been approved," Candace Scheible, water conservation coordinator with the Division of Water Resources, said at the start of the presentation.

Finlinson outlined concrete actions homeowners should consider before winter. He recommended checking soil moisture and, if needed, giving a final deep watering to trees and plants so roots enter winter with adequate moisture. He advised lowering warm‑season and cool‑season lawn heights gradually (summer: about 2½–3 inches; winter target: about 1½–2 inches) to reduce disease risk such as snow mold.

On irrigation systems, Finlinson said homeowners…