A healthy, green lawn enhances the curb appeal of a home and provides an inviting space for family gatherings. However, Big Green Lawn Care requires frequent upkeep to keep it looking its best.
Overseeding introduces more resilient grasses into the lawn, helping it resist weeds and diseases. Water less often, but deeply to promote deep root growth.
One of the most essential tasks that a homeowner or lawn care professional can do for their turf is to mow it regularly. Mowing the grass at a high and consistent height promotes the growth of thicker, more luxuriant grass that can block out weeds and more easily resist disease and stress. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all lawn mower or cutting schedule. Several factors must be weighed to decide what frequency of mowing is best for the lawn including lot size, climate, obstructions in the yard, and how healthy and physically active the homeowner or caretaker is.
The frequency of mowing can also be affected by the amount of rainfall in a particular region. If there is plenty of rain, mowing more frequently may be necessary to keep up with the pace of growth. However, excessive mowing can cause the lawn to look unhealthy, and even be damaged by the mower.
Cutting the lawn too low or too often will zap the strength of the grass, making it less able to resist damage from diseases, drought, heat and insects. In fact, the more stressed a lawn is due to mowing, the easier it is for weeds to take hold.
Raking leaves in the fall is another important part of lawn care that must be done before rainwater mats them down and damages grassy areas. If possible, try to rake leaves as close to the ground as possible so that they can be broken down and recycled into the soil for nutrients.
Some homeowners choose to have a lawn service handle their mowing and other lawn treatments because they want to ensure that their property is being taken care of by someone with experience and knowledge. If you do decide to do the mowing yourself, be sure to invest in some quality lawn equipment and make sure it’s properly maintained. It’s important to get the blades of the mower sharpened and the cutting deck cleaned out before using it again. This will help prevent premature wear and tear on the mower, as well as make it more effective at mowing the lawn.
Watering
A lush green lawn is the hallmark of a well-cared for landscape. It adds beauty and increases property value. It also reduces soil erosion, cools the air and blocks heat from the sun, reducing energy costs.
Proper care of a residential turfgrass lawn includes routine watering. The frequency and amount of water required to maintain a healthy lawn depends on a number of factors, including soil type, grass species, cutting height, temperature and other environmental influences. The timing of watering is also important – in general, it is best to water early in the morning when the lawn is wet from dew and evaporation are less likely to occur. Avoid watering in the evening as this can promote fungal diseases.
Watering should be done slowly to prevent runoff and puddles. The goal is to get water down to the roots – this is often achieved with a sprinkler or rainbird, although hand-watering can also be effective. When watering, it is helpful to have a good understanding of your soil type and the amounts of sand, silt, and clay that are present. A laboratory soil test can reveal this information. Sand soils drain quickly and often require less frequent watering than clay soils.
Weeds and moss are not only unsightly, they compete with the grass for water and nutrients. Regular mowing, dethatching, and aeration can help keep them in check. Fungi can also be a problem in a lawn, but proper mowing, aeration and removing leaf debris can minimize their spread.
Raking leaves may be the most labor intensive chore of lawn care, but it is essential. A thick mat of fallen leaves can block light and make it hard for grass to photosynthesize. Consider composting or shredding the leaves and using them as mulch. Bagging and throwing away yard debris wastes money, takes up space in landfills, and removes valuable nutrients from the environment. It is also a good idea to use a mulching mower, which cuts the leaves into small pieces and returns them to the lawn to decompose. This will reduce nutrient loss and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing is a vital part of lawn care, and it doesn’t have to be difficult. But it does require planning, preparing the lawn and using the right tools. It also requires doing it regularly, so the grass has a steady supply of nutrients to grow thick and green.
A soil test can help determine the amount and type of fertilizer needed to improve the lawn. The test will tell you the relative proportion of sand, silt and clay in the soil. The test will also show if the soil is acidic or alkaline and whether it has nutrient deficiencies.
Grass needs three main nutrients to stay healthy and grow thick: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Nitrogen is a naturally occurring element in the atmosphere that is converted by microbes in the soil to form soluble organic compounds, which are then used by the grass for growth. Generally, a balanced lawn fertilizer is one that contains equal parts of the three major nutrients.
Some synthetic fertilizers have a numbering system that indicates the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the bag. The most common is 30-3-10. The first number, representing nitrogen, is usually higher than the other two. A high nitrogen level promotes rapid greening and healthy root development. The other two numbers, phosphorus and potassium, promote plant growth and prevent diseases.
Fertilizers are available in granular and liquid forms. If applying granular fertilizer, you should water the lawn immediately after application to help push the granules down into the soil and ensure the grass has a chance to absorb them. Liquid fertilizers can be applied with a spreader, and you should follow the instructions on the label to avoid overfertilizing and damaging your lawn.
The best time to apply fertilizer is in the fall, September through November, but you can do it in the spring too if necessary. Watering soon after applying fertilizer will promote fast absorption and prevent thatch build-up, which inhibits new grass growth. It’s important not to overfertilize because excess nitrogen can lead to disease and weeds.
Weeding
A well-maintained lawn is the best defense against weeds. Regular grass-cutting and overseeding contribute to a thick, dense turf that prevents weeds from germinating. In addition, aeration reduces soil compaction and allows the roots of your grass to access oxygen and nutrients more effectively. Occasionally, it is necessary to hand pull or spot treat broadleaf weeds with a liquid broadleaf herbicide.
Using boiling water to kill unwanted plants is an easy and natural alternative to chemical weed killers. This method works by essentially cooking the weeds, killing them, and preventing future growth. It’s important to use precision when applying the boiling water, making sure it reaches every part of the weed. This ensures the weeds are killed completely and doesn’t damage nearby plants or grass.
If you do decide to use a weed killer, it’s important to read the label carefully and apply as directed. Many of these products contain toxic chemicals that can harm the grass and soil. If you are concerned about the effects of weed killers on the environment, consider using a product that contains organic ingredients.
Other common weed control methods include mulching, cabling, and slice seeding. Mulching is a process of spreading compost or other organic material over the lawn surface. This improves soil health, helps retain moisture, and prevents weeds from growing in bare areas. Cabling involves wrapping a branch or trunk with wire to support it and prevent the occurrence of fungus, insects, and other problems. Slice seeding is a method of sowing new grass seeds directly into the existing turf. This can be an effective solution to bare spots caused by scalping (mowing the lawn too low) or weed and crabgrass invasions.
Proper lawn care practices also help to contain and control many types of disease that can cause unsightly bare patches in your yard. Diseases such as dollar spot, brown patch, red thread, rust, and stripe fungus are most active during certain weather conditions and can overwhelm even the healthiest of lawns. Good lawn mowing, aeration, and watering along with proper fertilization will reduce the occurrence of these diseases in your yard.