Every homeowner wants the perfect lawn. What’s better than going outside and seeing the uniform, lush, emerald-green grass? It’s the goal of every home lawn enthusiast.
The changing season and fluctuating temperatures can be tough on your grass. Fortunately, by mastering the basics of grass maintenance, you can enjoy a healthy and lush grass carpet. This article shares five tips and tricks to help keep your lawn green and healthy.
1. Pick The Right Grass
Keeping healthy and green lawns starts with suitable grass. Whether you’re just starting out or giving your lawn a makeover, it’s important to choose a grass type that’s suitable for your location. Depending on where you live, there’s a suitable grass variety to fit the local climate.
Generally, grasses have two basic categories–cool- and warm-season grass.
Cool-season varieties are better offered in areas that can drop to negative temperatures. They tolerate ice and freezing temperatures and may be able to survive in a drought of up to four weeks without water. The most common cool-season variety is the Kentucky bluegrass, characterized by its emerald to blue-green colors and soft leaves.
Warm-season varieties can survive the hottest summers. Varieties like Bermuda grass and St. Augustine feature lush, green lawns during Summer and spring. During cooler weather, they go dormant and turn brown, not greening up again until warm weather returns.
In addition to the grass variety, consider factors such as sun and shade requirements, foot traffic, and the amount of rainfall the grass can tolerate. If unsure, you can consult a lawn care expert for recommendations and suggestions.
Once you have selected the ideal grass type for your lawn, it’s crucial to provide it with the necessary nutrients to thrive.
2. Fertilize
Like other living things, grass needs the proper nutrients to grow strong and healthy. And in the case of lawn, the right fertilizer can ensure it stays lush and beautiful all year. Generally, you want to fertilize your lawn twice yearly, during spring and fall.
That said, test the pH level of your lawn soil every few years. The soil test can help you identify the nutrient your grass needs and use the right fertilizer that fits it. If managing the fertilization process seems overwhelming, consider consulting a lawn fertilization service to handle the job. The experts have more experience and the necessary tools to ensure the proper fertilization of your grass, keeping it healthy and growing.
Mowing at the right height is another essential aspect of maintaining a healthy lawn.
3. Don’t Mow Too Low
Regarding lawn maintenance, most people don’t think about the proper mowing height for their grasses. They often cut their lawn as short as possible, making it easier for maintenance in the next few weeks.
However, mowing too low can cause severe problems to your grass. Mowing a lawn too short can stress the grass, reducing the growth of deep roots and decreasing its ability to resist pests and drought conditions. Short grass also allows sunlight to reach weed seeds, making it more difficult to control weeds.
The correct mowing height will depend on the variety of grass you have. However, a general rule of thumb is to set the mower blades at least three inches tall.
In addition to proper mowing, addressing pests and weeds is crucial for a healthy lawn.
4. Fight Pests And Weeds
Even if you maintain a good grass height, weeds and pests can still occur. Weeds are an indication that your lawn health is suffering. Keep weeds off your lawn by growing a strong, thick lawn that won’t allow sunlight to touch the soil surface and encourage weed growth. If any weed slips through, hand-weeding is the best way to eliminate them from the roots.
Meanwhile, pests like lawn grubs or beetles can destroy your lawn by nipping on the green grasses. There are a variety of homemade solutions that you can spray on your lawn to get rid of these pests. Much better, you can call a pest control expert to keep those pests and bugs away from your carpet or grass.
Lastly, ensuring proper watering is key to a lush and vibrant lawn.
5. Proper Watering
Proper watering is essential to keep your lawn green and healthy. Your turf can withstand the hot sun and keep its healthy, lush look when done correctly.
Generally, you need to water consistently, but not too often. You want the soil to dry out between watering to help the grass grow deeper roots. Also, consider watering your grass early in the morning or late afternoon. Watering during the hottest part of the day only wastes water since it will evaporate quickly before reaching the roots. Plus, some grass goes dormant during the hottest time of the day.
Takeaway
As you can see, maintaining a lush lawn doesn’t have to be challenging. With some planning, hard work, and a few lawn care basics, you can get that beautiful green turf you’ve always dreamed of. Use the tips and tricks mentioned above and make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.
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