Everyone wants a lush, green lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood. Here are five quick tips for making the most of your lawn this year. Regardless of the type of lawn you have, the tenets of great lawn care remain the same. Test your soil, fertilize as required, keep it weed-free and the right length, and keep bugs and disease at bay. Start in the fall with testing levels so you're ready when the spring comes around. Also, look up specific instructions for your type of grass. If you have a special blend you may want to ensure you cater to its needs. Follow these guidelines and get ready for a great lawn this summer!
Test Your Soil: All grasses need food to live. They also need the right conditions. Performing the proper testing and fertilization are keys to a lush lawn. The right pH levels and levels of nitrogen and other trace elements are the most crucial. All garden stores carry an inexpensive testing kit that gives you a basic measure of these nutrients. However, these are generally inaccurate and provide little in the way of help fixing any deficiencies. Instead try a local university. Most provide a detailed analysis of soil, highlight deficiencies with exactly how to fix them.
Mowing: Every type of grass has different needs and grows at different rates. In general, however, mowing your lawn too short is a bad idea. It weakens the plant itself as it struggles to grab capture sunlight for photosynthesis. It also allows weeds to take purchase by allowing sunlight to penetrate to the soil. Try to keep your lawn at a height of three to four inches during peak growing season. Also ensure your lawnmower blade is sharp. A dull blade will damage grass rather than cut it, slows growth and invites disease by weakening the plant.
Fertilizing: Proper fertilization is key to consistent growth and color. Ensure you do some soil testing and follow a fertilization schedule. Too much fertilizer can be as bad as too little and can end with severe burning of your lawn. During periods of slow growth grass still requires nutrients. Grass will go dormant during the winter months with warm season grasses entering this stage sooner than the cooler season varieties. Prior to this period of dormancy its vital to provide the proper levels of potassium. This will strengthen the grass and its roots for the winter months. The grass will emerge much stronger when spring arrives.
Watering Your Lawn: All grasses need water but different types have different requirements. Warmer season grasses go dormant earlier than the cooler varieties and require less water. Generally most grasses need water about once a week. Long, infrequent watering is preferable since it requires roots to travel deeper in the soil between watering which strengthen the plant. The time of day is important as well. Try watering in the early part of the day. This prevents burning your lawn in the hot sun and allows the grass to dry before the evening when fungus can set in.
Bugs and Disease: Even well maintained lawns can become victim to pests or disease. Monitor your lawn for any discoloration or other obvious problems. At the first sign of a problem take action. Disease can spread very quickly. Visit a garden store or talk to a landscaper at the first notice of any issues. Keeping weeds at bay is an easy way to reduce the likelihood of pest infestation. Try an organic herbicide if possible which can be applied in the spring or fall to kill emerging weeds.
Test Your Soil: All grasses need food to live. They also need the right conditions. Performing the proper testing and fertilization are keys to a lush lawn. The right pH levels and levels of nitrogen and other trace elements are the most crucial. All garden stores carry an inexpensive testing kit that gives you a basic measure of these nutrients. However, these are generally inaccurate and provide little in the way of help fixing any deficiencies. Instead try a local university. Most provide a detailed analysis of soil, highlight deficiencies with exactly how to fix them.
Mowing: Every type of grass has different needs and grows at different rates. In general, however, mowing your lawn too short is a bad idea. It weakens the plant itself as it struggles to grab capture sunlight for photosynthesis. It also allows weeds to take purchase by allowing sunlight to penetrate to the soil. Try to keep your lawn at a height of three to four inches during peak growing season. Also ensure your lawnmower blade is sharp. A dull blade will damage grass rather than cut it, slows growth and invites disease by weakening the plant.
Fertilizing: Proper fertilization is key to consistent growth and color. Ensure you do some soil testing and follow a fertilization schedule. Too much fertilizer can be as bad as too little and can end with severe burning of your lawn. During periods of slow growth grass still requires nutrients. Grass will go dormant during the winter months with warm season grasses entering this stage sooner than the cooler season varieties. Prior to this period of dormancy its vital to provide the proper levels of potassium. This will strengthen the grass and its roots for the winter months. The grass will emerge much stronger when spring arrives.
Watering Your Lawn: All grasses need water but different types have different requirements. Warmer season grasses go dormant earlier than the cooler varieties and require less water. Generally most grasses need water about once a week. Long, infrequent watering is preferable since it requires roots to travel deeper in the soil between watering which strengthen the plant. The time of day is important as well. Try watering in the early part of the day. This prevents burning your lawn in the hot sun and allows the grass to dry before the evening when fungus can set in.
Bugs and Disease: Even well maintained lawns can become victim to pests or disease. Monitor your lawn for any discoloration or other obvious problems. At the first sign of a problem take action. Disease can spread very quickly. Visit a garden store or talk to a landscaper at the first notice of any issues. Keeping weeds at bay is an easy way to reduce the likelihood of pest infestation. Try an organic herbicide if possible which can be applied in the spring or fall to kill emerging weeds.
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