# How to Develop Deep Roots in Grass
Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Hose or sprinkler
- Mower
- Hand or core aerator
- Power rake (optional)
- Lawn fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Assess the current depth of the root zone in your lawn by digging down into the soil to see where the roots end. Apply at least enough water to reach the bottom of the root zone when watering. To encourage roots to grow deeper, make water available below the current root zone as well.
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2
Irrigate the lawn so that the water soaks below the root zone. The type of soil you have determines how much water you will need to apply. Water moves poorly through clay soils, so you may need to provide 1-1/2 inches of water to soak 6 inches into the soil. Sandy soils drain quickly, so you may need as little as 1/2 inch of water to reach 6 inches below the soil's surface.
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3
Water the grass weekly with enough water to penetrate to the bottom of the root zone. Watch the weather and adjust your watering schedule to suit. If the water will not penetrate the soil when applied all at once, water with smaller amounts every three to four days.
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4
Mow your grass to the proper height. Taller grasses shade the soil, encouraging water retention and deeper root growth. Mowing height depends somewhat on the grass species, but most grasses perform best when cut between 2-1/2 and 3 inches.
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5
Aerate your lawn. As you walk across your lawn, you compact the soil, which can become so firm that it acts as a physical barrier to root growth, forcing roots to remain shallow. Compacted soil also doesn't allow water to penetrate. Hand or core aerators remove a plug of soil every few inches, which helps to relieve soil compaction and improve water penetration.
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6
Remove thatch build-up. Thatch forms near the soil from a buildup of grass roots and stems. It restricts water penetration and causes shallow root systems to develop. Core aeration removes thatch. If you want to dethatch your lawn without aeration, shallowly power rake it.
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7
Fertilize properly. Overfertilization can encourage thatch build-up. Apply nitrogen fertilizers in the late summer or early fall, not the spring. Spring fertilizer applications can cause shallow root development.
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