Some people say, “The grass is always greener on the other side” and in some cases they are right. It isn’t because the owner of that lawn has more money though, it’s because they took steps to ensure their grass is well cared for. Getting greener grass takes a little bit of effort and some planning but with these tips, your grass will look as beautiful as your neighbors grass.
Preparing your Soil
The first thing you should do before beginning is to prepare you soil. The first step in preparation is to test it. Your local farm bureau or agricultural offices offer soil tests free. This test will tell you the condition of your soil and whether it needs the pH adjusted, fertilizer and how much fertilizer to use. Some people omit this step only to find out later that their pH was much too high to grow the type of grass they wanted.
Watering your Lawn
Some people neglect to water their lawn. As much as you need fluids on a hot summer’s day, so does your lawn. It is best to water in the early morning when the sun is just coming up or late in the evening when the sun is going down. You should adjust your watering habits according to the weather in your area. If you over water your lawn, you can literally drown the grass and then you have brown patches.
Choose the Right Turfgrass
Most people think grass is grass. This is so not true. There are virtually hundreds of species of grass. You should research your area to determine what is the most common and best species for your region. Then adjust your blend of seed mix for the conditions of your lawn like shady areas and full sunlight areas.
Keep your Mower Sharpened
We have all mowed our lawn and the next day seen brown, frayed tips on our grass. This is due to dull blades. This leaves your grass subject to disease which can spread quickly through a poorly maintained lawn. You should sharpen your blades about every other month during the mowing season.
Mowing at the Right Time
If you mow your grass in the morning, you are subjecting your lawn to possible burning. Instead, mow in the early evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to avoid stress to your lawn. The heat of the day can stress your grass and cause damage to freshly cut grass. Also, do not cut too much. You should never cut more than one-third of the length off at a time. Cutting your grass too low can shock it and cause the root system to shut down. If you have shady areas, leave this grass at least a half inch longer.
Dethatching is Essential
Dethatch or aerate your lawn regularly to keep thatch buildup down. If your lawn is over fertilized or watered, thatch will build causing it to be resistant to fertilizers. Aerating or removing the thatch will ensure your lawn will look great.
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