Tips for a great lawn
Many people think lawns are important because of the aesthetic value they provide or the curb appeal they offer. Yes, those are certainly important considerations, but these carpets of green also provide the foundation for many of the most cherished memories of our lives and they also safeguard our neighborhoods by cleaning the air, cooling our communities, and protecting water sources.
So, whether you are trying to get the most beautiful lawn on the block for pure enjoyment or for more altruistic reasons – or both – here are six tips to care for your lawn.
1. Get water-wise. Save water by giving your lawn a deep watering every few days, not daily. Frequent, light watering — as opposed to a deep soak that penetrates the soil — can cause water to evaporate and leads to shallow root growth. The best time to water is early morning. Lawns that remain wet overnight are more susceptible to disease caused by moisture loving mold.
2. Know before you mow. Alternate mowing patterns to avoid making ruts in your lawn. Keep grass at a longer, finished cut height of 3 inches. Never remove more than one-third of a grass blade while mowing. A dull mower blade shreds grass, leaving it susceptible to disease and in need of more nutrients to repair the damage.
3. Consider grasscycling. Keeping some grass clippings on the lawn after mowing allows nitrogen and nutrients to be returned to the soil for a healthier lawn. It also protects against fungal disease. If the grass is long, you may have to double-cut it to properly mulch clippings. Never leave excess clippings on top of the lawn.
4. Aerate. A well aerated lawn provides space for grass roots to grow, reproduce and take in more oxygen, moisture and nutrients. The plugs, composed of thatch and soil, quickly break apart and decompose.
5. Overseed. Grass is not immortal. Overseeding compensates for the natural slow down of the turf's reproduction. It will insure that your lawn stays thick and dense, or if it has thinned, it will make it thick again.
6. Care about more than color. Don’t worry if your grass isn’t always green. A brown lawn does not mean it is dead. It could be dormant due to factors like extreme heat or drought.
Like all living things, grass needs care and attention to ensure its good health. A healthy lawn does not mean one that’s simply been mowed and given water. Healthy landscapes need to be managed with a high degree of know-know, the support of science, and often, a dose of chemistry - so that families, communities, and our environment can derive the full benefits they provide.
Healthy lawns are on most every homeowner's wish list, but getting your yard in tip-top shape is often easier said than done. Timing is everything when it comes to fertilizer and weed control. You must take in to account such variables as geographic location, grass type, weed type, and soil conditions. To bring your ideas to life and create a dream landscape, it’s best to work with a local landscape professional.
So, whether you are trying to get the most beautiful lawn on the block for pure enjoyment or for more altruistic reasons – or both – here are six tips to care for your lawn.
1. Get water-wise. Save water by giving your lawn a deep watering every few days, not daily. Frequent, light watering — as opposed to a deep soak that penetrates the soil — can cause water to evaporate and leads to shallow root growth. The best time to water is early morning. Lawns that remain wet overnight are more susceptible to disease caused by moisture loving mold.
2. Know before you mow. Alternate mowing patterns to avoid making ruts in your lawn. Keep grass at a longer, finished cut height of 3 inches. Never remove more than one-third of a grass blade while mowing. A dull mower blade shreds grass, leaving it susceptible to disease and in need of more nutrients to repair the damage.
3. Consider grasscycling. Keeping some grass clippings on the lawn after mowing allows nitrogen and nutrients to be returned to the soil for a healthier lawn. It also protects against fungal disease. If the grass is long, you may have to double-cut it to properly mulch clippings. Never leave excess clippings on top of the lawn.
4. Aerate. A well aerated lawn provides space for grass roots to grow, reproduce and take in more oxygen, moisture and nutrients. The plugs, composed of thatch and soil, quickly break apart and decompose.
5. Overseed. Grass is not immortal. Overseeding compensates for the natural slow down of the turf's reproduction. It will insure that your lawn stays thick and dense, or if it has thinned, it will make it thick again.
6. Care about more than color. Don’t worry if your grass isn’t always green. A brown lawn does not mean it is dead. It could be dormant due to factors like extreme heat or drought.
Like all living things, grass needs care and attention to ensure its good health. A healthy lawn does not mean one that’s simply been mowed and given water. Healthy landscapes need to be managed with a high degree of know-know, the support of science, and often, a dose of chemistry - so that families, communities, and our environment can derive the full benefits they provide.
Healthy lawns are on most every homeowner's wish list, but getting your yard in tip-top shape is often easier said than done. Timing is everything when it comes to fertilizer and weed control. You must take in to account such variables as geographic location, grass type, weed type, and soil conditions. To bring your ideas to life and create a dream landscape, it’s best to work with a local landscape professional.