An exquisite lawn requires effort from both professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. Understanding the basics of great lawn care will allow for better outcomes in terms of both appearance and health.
Water your lawn deeply once every week for optimal results. Frequent shallow waterings lead to thatch build-up and promote fungal infections in the soil; for best results give your lawn an ample dose of deep hydration at once! paving companies adelaide
- Water Deeply
Watering deeply is essential to maintaining a thriving lawn, encouraging grass roots to expand deeper and making the lawn more resilient to drought and other environmental stressors.
Timing of irrigation is of equal importance: early morning is best as this prevents wasteful evaporation caused by sun and wind exposure.
Regular watering weakens and makes more susceptible to disease and pest infestation, so regular aerating and overseeding (applying new, weed-resistant seed to the lawn) should also be performed.
- Fertilize Regularly
Lawns require nourishment to thrive. Without regular care and attention, grass can quickly become thin and patchy – becoming vulnerable to disease and pest infestation.
An established lawn will develop thicker, stronger roots that are more resistant to weeds and drought, while needing less frequent waterings because the roots have access to more moisture in its depths.
Fertilizers contain essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (abbreviated as NPK). For maximum effectiveness when applying fertilizers in the morning when the sun won’t cause them to evaporate.
- Apply Milky Spore
Milky Spore(r) is an infective bacteria that kills white grubs that damage lawns. Available as both dust or granules, Milky Spore can be applied using either a lawn and garden dispenser (a long tube-shaped device you can make yourself for around $10) or drop spreader.
Apply powder or granules by spreading one teaspoon in an even pattern four feet apart across your lawn, then water your lawn – the moisture will pull milky spore into the soil, killing any remaining grubs that remain.
- Don’t Mow Too Low
Too-low cutting of grass can damage a lawn. Maintaining an ideal height provides many advantages for the grass, including locking in moisture, protecting against weeds and shading the soil.
Rule of thumb suggests not cutting more than one-third of the grass’s height in one cutting. Also, make sure that each time you mow you change mowing direction so as to minimize turf compaction and mower damage.
Do not make the mistake of scalping (cutting too short), as this can damage the lawn and encourage moss growth.
- Don’t Mow Too Much
Mowing too often can damage grass by depriving it of essential nutrients and weakening its roots, weakening them against drought conditions or other weather events, as well as making the lawn less resistant against weather extremes.
Try cutting the lawn no more frequently than once every seven days during summer months; more frequent cutting may be necessary in spring and fall due to increased growth rates.
Water deep and often to foster the development of a healthy lawn. For optimal results, early in the morning before it becomes too hot is ideal.
- Don’t Leave Leaves on the Lawn
As soon as leaves begin to fall across a landscape, many homeowners rush to either rake them up or use a leaf blower to clear them away. But according to experts, it may be more beneficial to wait until most or all of the leaves have fallen before beginning this task.
Leaves provide a natural form of mulch which serves to both suppress weeds and fertilize the soil as they decompose, as well as providing habitat for birds, squirrels and other forms of wildlife.
Just make sure the leaves don’t accumulate too tightly or this could suffocate the grass beneath them – don’t forget to add your leaves to your compost pile as well!
- Aerate Regularly
Lawn aeration helps alleviate this issue and promote deeper root growth by loosening compacted soil.
Scarifying with a lawn rake before aeration to remove some of the thatch layer can also help eliminate moss growth and prevent thatch build-up. Aerating may also help improve root development by keeping soil temperatures even and increasing oxygen.
Aerate the soil when it is damp but not saturated; morning is best. This technique works especially well in spring and fall for cool-season grasses.
- Apply a Layer of Compost
Applying a layer of compost to the lawn is an integral component of organic lawn care, known as top dressing. By increasing its nutrient levels and improving moisture retention, top dressing increases soil health while simultaneously strengthening moisture retention capabilities.
Spread the compost evenly using either a shovel or lawn compost spreading machine for larger lawns, then use a rake to smooth out its surface, eliminating any clumps that might smother grass.
Focus on applying a 0.5-inch layer of compost, sand or topsoil depending on the needs of your lawn – for instance reducing thatch and improving soil tilth or drainage. The type of topping chosen will depend on what issues arise in your lawn.
