As a homeowner, monitoring your lawn is vital. Well-kept lawns significantly boost the aesthetics of your property.
Let’s discuss some of the ways you can keep your lawn healthy.
How to keep your lawn healthy
Here we go;
Step 1: Get rid of existing weeds
When you want to keep your lawn healthy, the first thing to do when you want to keep your lawn healthy is to remove unwanted plants. Often, it can be hard to avoid weeds.
So, evaluate the lawn frequently to check for any unwanted roots and plants. Today, there is a wide range of weed removal techniques you can incorporate. You can pull out weeds using your hand or weeding equipment. Alternatively, use herbicides to get rid of your weeds.
Always make sure you follow all your manufacturer’s guidelines when using these chemicals. It would be best to use organic herbicides; they are less dangerous to your plants.
Step 2: Dethatch the Lawn
Over time, organic matter is likely to build up between the roots and the grass blades. This can lead to open spaces where weeds can grow.
So, take some time to get rid of thatch from your lawn. Although the lawn won’t look aesthetically pleasing, it will recover in approximately a month.
Step 3: Aerate the Lawn
After dethatching the lawn, ensure it is well aerated. But first, check the roots. If they run very deep into the soil, ensure you aerate the soil. So, how do you ventilate the lawn?
First, water the soil; do this for at least two days before ventilating the lawn. Then, position a rented core aerator on the lawn. Afterward, cover the lawn with organic compost. Proper aeration keeps the lawn healthy.
Step 4: Apply Grass Seed to Bare Spots
Check for any bare spots on the lawn. If you identify any, use grass seed to cover them. Some of the best grass seeds to use include fescue, Kentucky, and bluegrass. Then, water the seeds after application.
Step 5: Mow Grass Appropriately
You have to mow grass correctly to keep your lawn in good shape. When mowing the grass in your lawn, focus on removing only a third of the top section of the grass.
The remaining grass should not be about 2.5 to 3 inches high. Taller grass prevents sunlight penetration into the weeds. Thus, it prevents weeds from germinating.
Moreover, mowing grass requires you to incorporate a 45 to 90-degree angle to prevent soil compaction. Finally, always keep your mowing blades sharp.
Step 6: Water and Feed Grass
Keep watering and feeding the grass to keep the lawn healthy. Applying fertilizer helps you grow healthy grass. However, choose the right planting chemicals for the lawn.
The best soil for growing grass?
Currently, there are three major types of soil; clay, silt, and sand. Each of these soils has different properties. Therefore, take time to understand all soil before you use them for planting.
Loam soil is always the best for planting. This soil is a mixture of silt, clay, and sandy soils. Thus, it contains all the necessary nutrients for plant growth.
Fortunately, you can change soil texture using organic compost and fertilizers. Generally, below are some of the characteristics of the best soil for growing grass.
- Grass often thrives in soil that has a pH of about 6.5 to 7.0. Test and balance the pH of your soil frequently.
- Good soil is rich in nutrients. Grass grows well when fed with nitrogen. So, use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to boost the quality of your soil. Fortunately, you can use a broad spectrum of grass fertilizers to make the soil more nutritious. One of the best fertilizers to grow grass is the Scotts Turf builder. This fertilizer has an NPK ratio of 32-0-4.
- Good soil also has excellent water retention and drainage properties. Soggy soil encourages the growth of weeds and attracts pests and diseases. So, avoid overwatering the grass and choose soil with good drainage properties. At the same time, the soil should retain a good amount of moisture to encourage healthy grass growth.
How many times a day should I water my lawn?
Indisputably it is essential to water your lawn when necessary. Grass thrives in areas with sufficient sunlight, moisture, and air. Watering your lawn will keep it in good shape.
Nevertheless, you have to incorporate the proper techniques of watering your lawn. Using the wrong technique of watering your lawn can damage the grass. Also, you have to know the right time to water your grass.
When should I water my grass?
You’ll know if your grass needs water when it looks faded or grey. In such a scenario, water the grass immediately. Another way to tell if your grass is dry is to walk over the lawn. If your footprints form on the grass, it might be time to water the grass.
What time of day should I water?
Gardening experts often advise watering your plants at around 10 am. You have to allow the dew to dry up before watering the grass. Avoid watering the plants afternoon since they are more prone to evaporation.
However, if you have no choice but to water the grass in the afternoon, 4 pm to 6 pm is the best time. Only water once a day to avoid overwatering the soil.
How much water should I use?
When growing grass, you don’t have to water the lawn now and then. Typically, grass requires an inch of water every week. But, of course, this depends on the climate and the type of grass species. When watering the lawn, ensure the upper layer of the soil is wet. Then, focus on watering the first 6 to 8 inches of the soil.
How often should you cut the lawn?
Cutting your lawn from time to time promotes healthy grass growth. Lawn experts usually advise cutting your lawn at the beginning of every spring before it starts growing. Removing all the dead ends puts the lawn in a better position to thrive. Also, cutting the lawn at the right time helps you control weeds better.
How often should you mow?
Generally, you should mow your lawn at least once every week. Even so, this depends on the type of grass you are growing. Some lawns grow very fast; hence you’ll need to cut them frequently.
Conversely, other lawns may need cutting only once in two weeks since they grow slowly. Keep monitoring the lawn to ensure you know the best time to cut it.
When cutting the lawn, don’t remove more than a third of the grass. Doing this may damage the grass.
Mowing Tips
- When cutting your lawn, it is compulsory to use sharp mower blades. Blunt mower blades do not cut the grass; instead, they rip the grass. In turn, this attracts pests and diseases. Sharp mower blades provide a clean, smooth cut that keeps the lawn in good condition.
- Avoid cutting your lawn when the grass is wet. Failure to do so puts the lawn at risk of getting ruts. Also, it can be challenging to achieve a smooth cut when dealing with wet grass.
- After cutting your lawn, mulch it. Although this may not be necessary, mulching improves the soil quality and makes your lawn grow healthier. The clippings applied to the soil will break down to provide nitrogen to the soil.
Let it Grow
Gardening professionals advise letting your plants grow to their maximum potential. Leaving your plants to grow for an extended period gives the root system enough time to grow.
If you have a more extended root system, your lawn is likely to be healthier and more resistant to damage. Letting the grass grow longer prevents sunlight from reaching the weeds.
Therefore, it is an effective weed control technique. Longer blades also offer a wide surface area for photosynthesis hence fostering a healthy lawn. However, it is essential to maintain a short lawn during winter.
When should you start treating your lawn?
Treating your lawn encourages healthy grass growth. More often than not, it would be best if you started treating their lawns from early spring to late spring. You can extend this period to early summer if you are growing warm-season grasses.
Below are some of the things you need to do when treating your soil.
- Test the soil
When treating your lawn, you need to test your lawn. Grass thrives in neutral soil pH. Use a soil test kit to identify your soil pH. The soil should also have adequate amounts of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Nitrogen content should be the highest. So, consider using a nitrogen-based fertilizer. Your soil should not be too alkaline or too acidic.
- Cut your lawn
You have to cut your lawn to keep it in good shape. Consider cutting a third of the top part of the grass. Doing this encourages new healthy growth and makes the lawn look pleasant.
Dethatching is also essential to prevent soil compaction. Next, use the right equipment to mow the lawn. Also, note that the mowing equipment should have sharp blades. Otherwise, your lawn will attract bugs and pests.
- Weed the lawn
Take time to weed the lawn. Weeds compete with desirable plants for nutrients. Thus, they can cause unhealthy grass growth. Luckily, there is a wide range of weed removal techniques you can use. Consider pulling out your weeds or using the right herbicides.
Pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides can help you keep off weeds from the garden. However, note that these toxic chemicals ingredients may affect desirable plants. So, always consult your manufacturer on the best herbicides to purchase. Alternatively, consider using organic herbicides.
- Fertilize the lawn
During spring, apply grass fertilizer to the lawn. Grass fertilizer improves the nutritional content of the soil. Nevertheless, avoid applying fertilizer when during early spring. Instead, wait for the grass to start greening.
In summary
Keeping your lawn healthy essential. Some ways to keep your lawn healthy include watering, cutting the lawn, and making the soil more nutritious. When your grass is healthy, your lawn will naturally look beautiful. Also, you can use fertilizers and herbicides to keep the lawn healthy.
But if all this is tough for you there is the option to get alternatives to growing grass.
