If you’ve been wondering why the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, you’re probably not giving your lawn enough tender loving care. The good news is, your backyard can be the envy of the neighborhood if you follow a couple of simple steps for lawn care in order to grow lush, beautiful turf.
Test Your Soil
The type of your soil will determine what exactly you need to do to improve your lawn’s condition. Soil testing is an important part of lawn care and a simple enough process that reveals the soil’s pH balance, among other things. Test recommendations will enable you to do everything right. For instance, a low pH prevents the grass from taking up the necessary nutrients. Restoring the balance will restore the thick turf and your grass will grow to its full potential.
Overseeding
Speaking of a thick lawn, one of the best ways to keep it that way is overseeding. It is basically the process of sowing grass into existing grass, so you can fill in potential empty or thinner patches and maintain the luxurious feel and look. This should be a routine part of your lawn care that is done strategically – choose the appropriate type of grass for the climate in your region, as well as the season which will yield the best results.
Fertilization
Just like all other plants, your grass needs food. However, heavy rainfall and excessive irrigation often deprive your soil of those much-needed nutrients. In order to avoid that, water your lawn thoroughly a day or two before applying the fertilizer. The second watering, after fertilization, is crucial because it washes the fertilizer off the blades and into the soil. You can also time it before a rainfall so the rain may do the same thing. Just make sure that you don’t fertilize before a downpour that will wash away the nutrients. Regular fertilization during the growing season ensures healthier growth, and it will keep your grass supplied for up to three months. This is an important part of lawn care you don’t want to overlook!
Weed Control
An important part of good lawn care is weed control! What makes weeds so unwanted in a healthy lawn is the fact that with them around, there will be less sunlight, water and nutrients left for your grass. If you already have a well-established lawn, a pre-emergent herbicide treatment would be an effective enough solution. Applied in spring, when weeds are due to appear, it prevents unwanted growth. However, be careful not to use a pre-emergent weed product while overseeding, since it will keep all seeds, including grass, from growing properly.
Proper Mowing
Mowing the lawn should be done carefully, according to the requirements of your grass type. Instead of mowing when you think your lawn looks messy or when you just get round to it, try to cut the grass often enough to maintain the recommended height without removing more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing. This will help decrease the stress which results in unappealing lawns. Your lawn mower needs attention as well. Torn grass is more likely to be attacked by common lawn diseases, so make sure the blades on your mower are sharp enough to cut the grass instead of tearing at it.
Irrigation
Once you get your turf on the right track to a luxurious look, keep it strong by providing adequate water supply that suits your grass type. The easiest way to check if your turf is getting enough moisture is to take a look at its color and take a couple of steps on it. If the color is dull green or even grayish, and if your footprints don’t disappear quickly, the grass is definitely thirsty. If at all possible, water in the morning, ideally before 10 AM, when the weather is cooler and the winds are calmer, so the soil can soak in most of the water provided. Do not overwater your lawn. It needs one inch of water per week, and you must take into account possible rainfall and adjust accordingly for the proper lawn care.
Take pleasure in maintaining your lawn, and try to enjoy providing all that’s necessary for it to be at its best. It will undoubtedly reward you with a healthy, green glow and thickness you’ll have the privilege to enjoy for years to come.
