If you’re a home-owner who wants a luscious green lawn that’s the envy of all your neighbors, these tips are for you. There are a few steps to take to give you a beautiful lawn. These steps are presented here clearly so you can be sure to have the lawn you’ve always wanted.
Steps for a Green Lawn:
- Soil test
- Fertilizer
- Water
- Mow regularly
- Sharp lawn mower blades
- Don’t mow when it’s too wet
- Don’t cut too low
- Mow in different directions
- Limit bagging
- Clean up leaves
Step 1: Soil test
To test your soil to find out what nutrients it needs, go to a garden center and get either a do-it-yourself soil testing kit or get your soil tested through the Cooperative Extension System, a national agriculture network. You can find an Extension office nearby through the USDA website.
If the soil pH is too acidic or alkaline, your efforts to make your lawn green will be wasted. Find out where your lawn’s soil is at and treat it accordingly.
Step 2: Fertilizer
The key with fertilizer is to know the right amount, time and watering. Too much fertilizer should not be put out at one time. The right ratio is one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
Make sure you follow the directions on your fertilizer. When you have put down your fertilizer, be sure to lightly water afterward to wash any excess off the grass blades so the fertilizer will reach the roots.
It’s best to kill weeds and crabgrass before they get out of control. Pre-emergent treatments only prevent crabgrass and weeds from growing. Apply preventer between mowings.
Step 3: Water
A good rule of thumb for watering is about one inch per week. If it’s very hot, water about an inch every 3-5 days. You can test the amount of rainwater your lawn has already gotten by leaving a can outside during the week and seeing how long it takes for it to fill up one inch. Weather and ground conditions of your area should be taken into account when determining how frequently you should water. Heavy soils should be watered less often while sandy soils can handle more watering.
Extension websites have more specific directions for the appropriate watering for different kinds of grass. Water your grass early in the morning so grass blades can dry before sundown. Otherwise, fungus is more likely to develop on your lawn.
Step 4: Mow regularly
Mow your lawn weekly spring through fall. Winter can be every two weeks to monthly.
Step 5: Sharpen mower blades
Check your lawnmower blades to make sure they are sharp. The grass is torn rather than cut evenly by dull blades making your lawn less healthy.
Step 6: Don’t Mow When It’s Too Wet
Make sure your yard is dry, but not arid before you mow it. Test by sticking a screwdriver in the ground. If it goes in up to the handle easily without much force, it’s fit for mowing.
Step 7: Don’t cut too low
Cut your grass two to three inches high. This may vary depending on your kind of grass. This can prevent weeds from growing.
Step 8: Mow in different directions
Mow in a different direction every couple of weeks. This keeps tracks from forming permanently on your lawn.
Step 9: Limit bagging
Leave the clippings on your lawn. They are a good fertilizer, especially during winter time.
Step 10: Clean up leaves
Letting leaves linger on your lawn can block sunlight and keep your grass from growing.
Call Us for Help
Follow these simple steps and you will be certain to have a green lawn that’s the envy of all your neighbors. If you find yourself needing more help, give us a call right away for lawncare service!