ATLANTA -- Now that there is a full watering ban in the metro Atlanta you can't water your lawn or outdoor plants.

But there are some things you can do to help keep your lawn healthy.

Raise your lawn mower blade to at least three inches. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture

Go easy on the fertilizer. They increase the need for water and are a source of water pollution

Mulch to retain moisture in the soil

Control weeds. They compete with plants for water

Minimize the grass areas, because less grass means less water