Lawn Care Tips

A healthy, well maintained lawn can make a yard and home very appealing. Lawn care can be left to a professional, but with just a little information the average homeowner can maintain an attractive lawn. You need to be aware of a few basic lawn health issues and be willing to put in a little time. By doing it yourself you can save a lot of money and have the satisfaction of having done it yourself.

Choosing the Right Grass Species

Speak to a lawn care expert at your local nursery or home supply store to determine the best grass to use in your yard.
Take into account your local climate, the type of soil, how the lawn will be used and how much maintenance you are willing to do. Is there water rationing in your area? Choose a grass variety that is drought tolerant. Will you just enjoy gazing on your lush green lawn or will the whole family be out there playing touch football? Do you have pets?

Mowing

One of the crucial aspects of proper lawn care is knowing how to mow to maintain healthy grass. Be sure your lawnmower blades are sharp. Dull blades will tear rather than cut the grass blades leaving them more vulnerable to certain diseases. Start the season with fresh sharp blades and sharpen them once in the summer.

Do not cut it too short. It is better to mow more often. If cut too short you can weaken the plant and its roots and give an advantage to competing weeds.

Mow the lawn in as many different directions as possible. Try diagonals, clockwise, counterclockwise. This will give a better quality to the cut. And always mow when the grass is dry.

Leaving the clippings is a natural and simple way to feed your grass. Lawn clippings are an excellent source of slow-release nitrogen and will help keep your lawn green and reduce its water requirements.

Watering

An appropriate watering schedule is necessary for good lawn care. Excessive watering and under watering can produce poor growing conditions and susceptibility to disease. Exactly how much water is right? That depends on climate, soil type, mowing height and grass species. In general, though, an inch per watering is a good place to start. This should be done every 4 to 7 days. Be certain that the water is evenly distributed and then place a can or other straight sided container on the lawn. Measure the height of the water in the can.

Fertilizing

Another important aspect of lawn care is fertilizing. Your lawn needs the proper nutrients for healthy vigorous growth. These include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Compost is the most effective option and works well on all types of lawns. Compost provides organic matter as well as supplying major and secondary nutrients your lawn requires in a slow release form.

Aerating

An often overlooked lawn care consideration is aeration. This will allow your grass plants and roots to have better access to water, air and vital nutrients. Over time, soil will compact and thatch will build up which will compromise the health of your lawn. Loosening and aerating the soil will allow roots to grow more easily.

Following these simple tips and with a little experience you will be able to maintain a beautiful lush green lawn on your own without the need to rely on an expensive lawn care professional.