Is there anything more relaxing than putting your bare feet on a soft, perfectly maintained lawn? If the grass is greener on the other side of your fence, your neighbors surely know the secrets to a perfect lawn and it is time for you to get to know them too. We are here to help you learn some of the things you didn’t know about mowing, watering, fertilizing, and aerating your lawn.
Frequent mowing is beneficial, but you need to maintain your equipment too
It’s no secret that regular cutting will make your grass grow thicker, but did you know that the state your blades are in can make a difference? When they are blunt, they tend to tear your grass, and the results are not satisfying. On the other hand, when you use sharp blades, they swiftly cut the grass leaving the stems healthy. You see – the way you maintain your mower matters.
Other mowing secrets
Mowing your lawn while it is wet is not a good practice. By doing so, you might compact the soil which will disable the grassroots from breathing. Also, don’t mow your lawn too short! Prolonging the time until your next mowing might seem inviting, but by cutting the grass too short you might even damage the roots. If you are not sure how to determine the right height of the grass, try to cut only one-third of its current height.
Get rid of weeds on time
Weeds are such a pain in the neck for everyone who likes to have a colorful garden and a nice lawn. They grow pretty much everywhere and there is not a permanent solution to that problem. But, the thicker your grass is, the less room there will be for weeds. There are many products you can try, but be careful since not all of them will make your backyard more eco-friendly. The best thing you can do is to try and grow thick grass and keep an eye on your lawn so that you can pluck a weed or two whenever you notice them.
Your lawn needs to be properly hydrated
Sprinklers are your best friend when it comes to watering your lawn. However, you should know when to use them for the best results. Here are some indicators that your lawn needs watering:
- if the footprints on the lawn remain visible and the grass won’t bounce back – that indicates a lack of moisture.
- the grass that needs watering will acquire a greyish (sometimes even blue) shade. Of course, that is not the color you would expect to see on a perfect lawn.
- a screwdriver test can help – take a screwdriver or any other probe, shove it in the ground (3-4 inches deep) and take it out. If the surface of the object is dry, turn your sprinklers on.
Excessive watering can ruin your lawn too
Too much water in the soil can cause the roots to rot or promote bacteria and fungi growth. The time of the day you set your sprinklers to work also matters – avoid watering the lawn overnight and during the hottest hours of the day. Early mornings are just perfect for your lawn to receive its dosage of moisture.
Clippings are perfect fertilizers
Instead of bagging and dumping the clippings, you can turn them into natural fertilizer – that’s right, you can have your cake and eat it too! When mowing your lawn, you should simply leave the trimmings to lay on the grass. There are other ways to make fertilizer at home, from the ingredients you already have. That is what gardening on a dime is all about, you don’t really need much money to keep your lawn in perfect condition, but some extra care is still necessary.
It is important that you do not overfertilize the soil of your lawn. The grass will grow much faster and you will end up with even more work on your hands. And, don’t forget to water the lawn after applying the fertilizer of your choice.
Extra tip: Never mix your fertilizers! If you like to experiment, give each product a certain amount of time to work before switching to another one, but don’t use them together.
Aerating is one of the best ways to maintain your lawn in perfect condition
The basic lawn care practices will give no results if your lawn is not getting enough air. There is no use applying the nutrients if they cannot reach the roots. The soil gets compressed and the thatch accumulates preventing the air from penetrating deeper in the soil. That is why aeration is so important.
The best time of year for aeration is early spring or late autumn. The choice depends on the type of grass that you have. If your lawn is not too big, you might be able to do this by yourself using just the garden fork. But for the larger surfaces, you might need professional help. The good news is that you can rent the machine and aerate your lawn in no time! If your neighbors are willing to improve the drainage and breathability of their soil too, you can split the bill.
Deter the pests that are damaging your perfect lawn
Worms and insects living in your lawn are a perfect meal for raccoons and skunks. In order to reach them, they often dig holes in the lawn at night. They usually visit after a rain, since water pushes insects and worms closer to the surface of the ground. Toxic insecticides are not the best solution, so you should try to find organic ways to protect your garden from pests. Try sprinkling moth crystals all over your lawn. That will prevent raccoons from feasting on your lawn and you will not kill a single creature while protecting what’s yours.
Author’s bio: Amanda Ross is a single mom of two girls living in a little house in New Jersey. She has been writing articles on moving-related topics for vanexpressnj.com and thanks to her newly-discovered passion for flowers, she has recently started writing blog posts about gardening.
Photos used in this post can be found at the following links.
Lawn in front of large home:https://www.pexels.com/photo/architecture-clouds-estate-exterior-280222/
Close-up of green grass at:https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-focus-photography-of-green-grasses-during-daytime-212324/
Push Mower at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/garden-grass-meadow-green-589/
Oscillating Sprinkler at: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photography-of-outdoor-water-fountain-730923/