Spring is just around the corner, which means the backyard is about to burst into life and color and the last thing you need is a brown patch of grass in the middle of it all. A lush, verdant lawn is a great centerpiece for any garden, but it does require a bit of maintenance to keep the grass looking green and healthy.
Your lawn needs to be able to withstand the rigors of summertime – not only the hot and dry conditions but also the human effect. The pandemic has shown us just how important our outdoor space is, and many of us will be using the garden to socialize with friends and family. That means footfall, barbecues, and games, to name a few. Luckily most of the steps you can take to keep your lawn perfect are easy and simple. Here are a few.
Soil
The grass, trees and plants receive all their nutrients through the soil, so it’s important to keep the earth healthy. Start with a soil assessment – first establish if you have clay, sandy, dry or stony soil (there are ways to treat and improve these).
The acid level should be measured, as well as the quantity and availability of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Using compost or mulch can improve the overall health of your soil – more on this later.
Watering
The best time of day to water your lawn is in the early morning. In the afternoon when the sun is strongest it will evaporate much of the water before it has a chance to infuse the soil. Watering in the evening will hydrate the soil, but as the water will sit without any evaporation of excess, it may lead to diseases forming in the grass. Using a hose or sprinkler can be a wasteful way to go about hydrating the lawn – use timed sprinklers or in-ground irrigations systems for more effective watering.
Winter care
Colder months are a bad time for lawns, but there are some steps to take to make it easier to revive come the spring. Effective fertilizing in autumn to provide nitrogen will provide nutrients over the winter while the lawn is dormant. It’s also good to aerate the lawn before winter sets in – plants need air as well as sun and water to thrive, and grass is no different.
When you do your final mow of the autumn, cut the grass extra short. And consider artificial grass if you still want to enjoy a green lawn over winter – much less maintenance and easier to clean than a real lawn, although obviously, it doesn’t encourage wildlife.
Fertilizer
There are many organic ways you can fertilize your lawn, without having to buy anything at all. Use organic matter such as fallen leaves to mulch, and don’t throw away grass cuttings – these can also break down and provide important nutrients for your lawn.
For extra nutrients it can be wise to purchase some fertilizer from your local garden store – they should be able to recommend something based on the soil test you did earlier. Nitrogen-rich fertilizer is best, helping to revitalize your grass quickly and naturally.
Mowing
Cutting the grass is an important part of lawn care, and it’s easy to get it wrong. You’ll need to maintain your mower – keep the blades sharp, and if you use an internal combustion model make sure you change the oil yearly. It’s best to drain the oil tank in advance of winter if you live in an area that gets very cold, as the oil can freeze and cause problems in the engine.
In terms of the grass itself, it may seem like a good idea to cut it real short to save yourself labor, but actually for best results never cut more than one-third of the length of the grass blade at any one time. This prevents drying out, and also stops diseases from setting in.
Laying new turf
If you’re putting down new sod, the best time of year to do it is April, generally (of course climate conditions will vary from place to place). Ask at your garden center for the best type of sod to suit your climate and garden. It should be really fresh when you lay it down, and not have too much prior exposure to sunlight. Once it’s down, make sure you water it a lot – again, consult with your garden center.
Weeds Control
Weeds can massively impact the looks and health of your lawn. The best way to control them is by maintaining your lawn healthy, and lush, and you will need to squeeze out the weeds. If you have problems with crabgrass or dandelions too often, then some herbicides may help you. However, before you apply them, make sure to talk to someone who is experienced with herbicides so you will know the best way to apply them and when to do that. The best option may be applying pre-emergent herbicides in the spring, right before weed grass emergesses. This could reduce problems down the line because these products can kill weed grass seeds. As far as pesky dandelions are concerned, the best way to get rid of them is to simply dig them up, and if you don’t succeed, you could try broadleaf herbicide.
Aerate the Lawn
If your lawn is older and heavily trafficked, the soil could get compacted. When solid is too compacted it can stop absorbing water and hinder oxygen from reaching seeds or roots of plants, which will only make your lawn look shabby.
In such citations, you need to aerate your lawn. This process includes using a garden fork in order to create a small number of holes in the soil. Also, you can use a core aerator with hollow tines to do the same thing. This will allow water to move inside the soil, as well as nutrients and oxygen, helping your lawn look much better and healthier. Also, make sure to water the lawn a bit more often after aerating to provide enough moisture to the roots.
Repair Bare Spots
Bare spots in your lawn could make it look unfinished, ugly and simply not too healthy. The first thing to repair these is to figure out what is the cause. It could be that too much traffic happens in that space, or some pests are creating those bare spots. If it grubs, you can put down a 24-hour grub killer and fix the problem.
Otherwise, you can fix these by removing any rocks, branches and twig, and loosen the soil on the surface with a rake. Then, if the soil is high in clay, add topsoil and apply a high phosphorus content fertiliser. Make sure to spread the grass seed and water a few times per day for 2 weeks. Once the grass reaches a height of 3 to 4 inches, mow it nicely and bare spots should be gone.
Follow some of these tips for a lawn to be proud of – it’ll lift the atmosphere of the garden as well as your mood as the days get warmer.
