Maintaining a lawn is not an easy task, especially for beginners. To help you with that we have the best lawn care tips from experts to help you get your best lawn ever. These lawn care basics will guide you on how to start and where to go from there.
1. The Lawn Care Starts From Soil
Soil Testing
First, learn about the qualities of your soil. Take soil samples from your garden to test soil for essential factors such as soil pH in a lab. Include samples for spots with problems. From the lab, you can receive specific recommendations for your lawn care plan. If there are any issues, fix according to lab recommendations.
Soil Aeration
Air pockets of soil that enable nutrients and water to reach the roots of the grass, over time get reduced. To solve this, aerate the lawn. It will help the lawn to get nutrients and water it demands to grow strong all year long. Spring is a perfect time to organize aeration.
Fertilization
The soil test results will prescribe how much fertilizers your lawn needs (usually per 1,000 square feet), based on its organic matter, structure, and other factors. Also, consider the nutritional needs of the grass that you plant. It is recommended to fertilize the lawn in its growing season every 6 weeks. Feed the lawn with compost or manure. Choose organic options over chemical fertilizers. Consult with a specialist.
2. Grass Selection
There are extensive options for grass selection, that vary in their tolerance of ranges of soil pH, fertility, moisture, and temperatures. They may also be different in their resistance to stresses caused by different factors such as wear, mowing, and insects and diseases. Experts recommend selecting region-appropriate lawn grasses.
As a result, it will require less maintenance time and resources.
3. Watering The Lawn
Plan watering frequency and timing according to the grass type and water needs. In general, the water evaporates less in the morning, so watering in the morning is recommended by experts. If the lawn is newly seeded, water more to support its establishment process.
4. Mowing
Different Grasses have a different optimal height that you should consider planning to mow. When the grass reaches its optimal high start mowing the lawn. Mowing tall grasses will cause difficulties, shock roots, and dull the blades of the mower. When it reaches one-third or more of the suggested mowing height, cut it.
Lawn Care Tips for Each Season
Care Tips For Spring
- Don’t mow wet grass. It will increase the chance of spreading grass diseases.
- Fertilize. In the spring apply fertilizer as your grass begins its most active growth.
- Aerate in a day when the soil is damp but not soaked.
- Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from taking root in the lawn.
Care Tips For Early Summer
- Watch out for grubs. When using insecticides follow all label directions
- In early summer grass is starting to grow fast, and there will be a need for cutting more than once a week. But mow 1/3 of the grass blade.
- Weeds that are left after an herbicide application, remove with a garden fork.
Care Tips For Summer
- Frequent sprinkles of water boost shallow root growth, so deep and infrequent watering is preferable.
- Regularly clean up any leaves, branches, and debris.
Care Tips For Fall
- During the fall season keep your lawn free of leaves and other debris.
- Fertilize the lawn. The grass will store the nutrients in its roots in the dormant period in winter and use them for growth when springs come.
The lawn is considered one of the key important factors for the curb appeal of a property. Well maintained lawn can affect the property value and make it easier to sell. If you need help with lawn care services, contact us, and we will help to organize the lawn care process timely and smooth.
