Everyone wants a lush, green lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood. Here are five quick tips for making the most of your lawn this year. Regardless of the type of lawn you have, the tenets of great lawn care remain the same. Test your soil, fertilize as required, keep it weed-free and the right length, and keep bugs and disease at bay. Start in the fall with testing levels so you're ready when the spring comes around. Also, look up specific instructions for your type of grass. If you have a special blend you may want to ensure you cater to its needs. Follow these guidelines and get ready for a great lawn this summer!
Test Your Soil: All grasses need food to live. They also need the right conditions. Performing the proper testing and fertilization are keys to a lush lawn. The right pH levels and levels of nitrogen and other trace elements are the most crucial. All garden stores carry an inexpensive testing kit that gives you a basic measure of these nutrients. However, these are generally inaccurate and provide little in the way of help fixing any deficiencies. Instead try a local university. Most provide a detailed analysis of soil, highlight deficiencies with exactly how to fix them.
Proper Mowing: A sharp blade and the right lawn length are also key to a healthy lawn. Each type of grass has slightly different requirements but, in general, you want to keep your grass about 3"-4" in length. Any shorter and you may damage the grass by cutting too much and allow weeds to take root. Keeping the blade sharp minimizes damage to the plants and can reduce the incidence of disease and pests.
Fertilizing Your Lawn: Feeding your lawn is important for great color and lush growth. Make sure you follow a feeding schedule to avoid over-feeding. Overfeeding can be more damaging to plants than not feeding at all and can lead to sudden death or severe grass burn. During the winter months grasses still need nutrients to survive. "In fact, providing the right levels of phosphorus can help grass roots overwinter better and emerge stronger in the spring," says Nate Merchant who performs Morristown Landscaping.
Watering: Different grasses require different levels of water. Cooler season grasses go dormant later than their warm weather counterparts and require more frequent watering. Generally, most grass requires water around once a week. Long, infrequent watering is better for grass since the roots will penetrate deeper into the soil. Do not water at the hottest part of the day to avoid burning your lawn. Also, avoid watering late in the day as the grass may remain wet overnight allowing fungus to take hold. Early morning is the best time of day to water if the need arises.
Bugs and Disease: Its unfortunate but it happens. Disease can take hold and spread very quickly. Keep an eye for colored patches on your lawn as these can be a sign of either bug damage, fungus or disease. Keeping your lawn weed free is great way to reduce insect damage. Many homeowners will use a per-emergent herbicide in the early spring to prevent weeds from taking root. If you notice patches on your lawn that are tan or white in color you likely have a fungus problem which can be treated with a lawn fungicide available at your local garden store.
Test Your Soil: All grasses need food to live. They also need the right conditions. Performing the proper testing and fertilization are keys to a lush lawn. The right pH levels and levels of nitrogen and other trace elements are the most crucial. All garden stores carry an inexpensive testing kit that gives you a basic measure of these nutrients. However, these are generally inaccurate and provide little in the way of help fixing any deficiencies. Instead try a local university. Most provide a detailed analysis of soil, highlight deficiencies with exactly how to fix them.
Proper Mowing: A sharp blade and the right lawn length are also key to a healthy lawn. Each type of grass has slightly different requirements but, in general, you want to keep your grass about 3"-4" in length. Any shorter and you may damage the grass by cutting too much and allow weeds to take root. Keeping the blade sharp minimizes damage to the plants and can reduce the incidence of disease and pests.
Fertilizing Your Lawn: Feeding your lawn is important for great color and lush growth. Make sure you follow a feeding schedule to avoid over-feeding. Overfeeding can be more damaging to plants than not feeding at all and can lead to sudden death or severe grass burn. During the winter months grasses still need nutrients to survive. "In fact, providing the right levels of phosphorus can help grass roots overwinter better and emerge stronger in the spring," says Nate Merchant who performs Morristown Landscaping.
Watering: Different grasses require different levels of water. Cooler season grasses go dormant later than their warm weather counterparts and require more frequent watering. Generally, most grass requires water around once a week. Long, infrequent watering is better for grass since the roots will penetrate deeper into the soil. Do not water at the hottest part of the day to avoid burning your lawn. Also, avoid watering late in the day as the grass may remain wet overnight allowing fungus to take hold. Early morning is the best time of day to water if the need arises.
Bugs and Disease: Its unfortunate but it happens. Disease can take hold and spread very quickly. Keep an eye for colored patches on your lawn as these can be a sign of either bug damage, fungus or disease. Keeping your lawn weed free is great way to reduce insect damage. Many homeowners will use a per-emergent herbicide in the early spring to prevent weeds from taking root. If you notice patches on your lawn that are tan or white in color you likely have a fungus problem which can be treated with a lawn fungicide available at your local garden store.
About the Author:
Quality Landscape Design Ideas for any need. The finest Landscape Design Morris County NJ has to offer. We provide virtually any outdoor construction need. Stop by the site to learn more.
