A Pocatello lawn care company is helping eastern Idaho homeowners reduce water consumption as the state faces emergency drought conditions and widespread water shortages.
Canopy Lawn Care, operating in Pocatello for its second year, focuses on improving soil health to help lawns absorb and retain water more effectively. Owner Krista Butler says the company’s soil treatment program can reduce the need for supplemental watering by as much as 40 percent over time.
Soil Health Approach to Water Conservation
The business applies specialized treatments containing sea kelp, amino acids, recycled coffee grounds, carbon, and other natural elements designed to strengthen the soil microbiome. According to Butler, healthier soil allows grass to use water more efficiently, reducing overall consumption without sacrificing lawn quality.
Butler says the approach addresses a particular challenge in Pocatello, where rocky soil makes it difficult for grass to thrive. The treatments help soften the soil and restore nutrients that support deeper root growth.
In addition to soil health programs, Canopy Lawn Care provides fertilization, weed control, lawn aeration and seeding, and tree and shrub care. Butler emphasizes that the company uses lower levels of chemical herbicides compared to traditional lawn services, relying instead on soil health to naturally crowd out weeds and pests.
Family Business Launched After Pandemic
Butler, a public school teacher for about a decade, launched the business after the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close in 2020. Managing virtual classrooms while homeschooling her own children led the family to seek more flexibility and time together.
The Butlers researched franchising opportunities and chose Canopy Lawn Care, a company that began franchising as a lawn care operation in 2016 after starting as a landscaping business in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Pocatello location, which opened in 2025, is the first in Idaho and the second in the Intermountain West.
Butler says the business allows the family to work together while serving other families across eastern Idaho. She hopes her young sons will become more involved as they grow older.
Common Watering Mistakes
With water shortages affecting communities throughout the region, Butler says many homeowners make the mistake of watering too frequently. Daily watering can cause lawns to go into shock when the routine changes, leading to dry, brown grass.
Butler recommends watering two to three times per week for 20 to 30 minutes per session. This schedule encourages deeper root growth and helps grass become more resilient during dry periods.
Mowing height also plays a role in water efficiency, according to Butler. Cutting grass too short stresses the plant and causes browning. Longer grass blades support longer roots, which can reach deeper into the soil to access nutrients and moisture.
What Comes Next
As Idaho’s drought continues, demand for water-efficient lawn care is expected to grow. Canopy Lawn Care serves customers throughout eastern Idaho and plans to expand as the business matures.
Butler says she is grateful to customers who have supported the business and hopes to earn the trust of more homeowners looking for sustainable lawn care solutions. Residents interested in services can request quotes through the company’s website.