You may have to look harder during a hot Las Vegas summer like this one, but it's there: the house with a lush, almost picture-perfect lawn.

The owners must know something about “mower blade height,” which you've been hearing so much about. Or maybe they're vigilant about watering. Take it from lawn care experts, who offer 10 hot-weather lawn care tips for your Las Vegas home you can act on today:

• Raise that mower blade. Or ask your lawn service provider to forego the sculpted look by keeping the length at about 3 inches (though some experts recommend going as high as 6 inches). Your lawn needs all the help it can get in the face of relentless heat, and taller grass retains moisture and provides much-needed shade for surrounding blades.
• Let grass clippings stay on the lawn. “Grass cycling” is a form of natural fertilizing; it will help until you resume the chemical kind in the fall.
• Water your lawn early in the morning, at the coolest part of the day, to limit evaporation. Use a soaker hose on vulnerable areas, but don't throw in the towel – or hose – on this important task. It's better to err on the side of watering less frequently but thoroughly rather than frequently and scantly.
• Stay on top of weed control. You already know how quickly weeds spread, outpacing even the growth rate of an otherwise healthy lawn. Pluck weeds and treat them to keep your lawn healthy.
• Lay mulch around trees, shrubs, flowers and plants. Mulch acts as a cool blanket, keeping the soil moist and preserving much-needed nutrients. It also can serve as an effective partner in weed control.
• Remove pet droppings. Even urine can kill grass in a hurry, so flush it with water. Better still: create a small dog run covered with small stones for your pet.
• "Keep off the grass" as much as possible. Those warning signs were made for a reason, and the warning applies to toys, bikes, wading pools and anything else that can crush and even kill the turf.
• Treat grubs at the first sign of infestation. These beetles – white and shaped like the letter 'C' – are notorious for feeding on grass roots. They typically descend on lawns in late summer.
• Consider ground cover for truly stubborn areas. Ground cover might grow better, and it will require less maintenance, too.
• Place new plants near taller, similar neighbors. They will benefit from the shade while they develop a root system.

Contact Polar Shades for Exterior Shades

When the sun finally sets, and you want to take a measure of the fresh outdoor air, enjoy your yard to the fullest with exterior shades from Polar Shades. Call 702-260-6110 and make an appointment for a free in-home consultation and just like your lawn, we'll turn your neighbors green with envy.