If the grass is literally greener on the other side of your fence, you may not be wrong. If your lawn seems duller, dying, or dehydrated, there’s a good chance it is. Lawn care is a mysterious beast that may seem challenging to conquer, but it’s actually quite simple once you’ve researched methods, grass types, and your home’s climate. If you’d like to spruce up your lawn and step up your lawn care expertise, these tips will nourish your green thumb.
Consider a New Mower
A bulky, gas, or corded mower may not be the most convenient lawn mowing option. If your lawnmower is a pain to use, you’re less likely to want to use it. You’ll want an easy and cost-effective lawnmower to maneuver and operate. It may be time to upgrade if you have a tiny lawnmower and a big yard. Electric, cordless lawnmowers don’t require gas, and you won’t have to trip over the cord while mowing. If your mower doesn’t have these features, you may want to start browsing a lawn mower for sale. Riding mowers may also be great if you struggle with walking, standing, or pushing a traditional mower. Mulching mowers will supply your freshly cut grass with the cut blades, effectively composting for your lawn’s health.
Utilize Lawn Edgers
Mowers won’t get the entire job done. Suppose you want clean edges to your lawn, particularly around flower beds and your home perimeter. In that case, an edger is a great tool to effectively cut the edge of your lawn without cutting too much or creating an uneven line. Edgers can make DIY lawn jobs look like professional landscaping!
String Trimmers
A string trimmer, commonly called a weedwhacker or a strimmer, allows you to mow in hard-to-reach places your large mower won’t handle. As a bonus, many string trimmers are combined with edgers, providing two tools for the price of one. String trimmers are also meant to easily cut down pesky weeds that pop up on your lawn from time to time. No mow job is complete without a string trimmer.
Don’t Cut Too Short
Now that you’ve sorted your equipment, it’s good to know your lawn shouldn’t be cut too short, even if you’re a fan of nearly bald yards. During the warm seasons, your lawn shouldn’t be shorter than two inches. In colder seasons, grass should be kept a bit longer, no lower than three inches. These numbers can vary according to climate and grass type, so research yours for the most accurate numbers.
Irrigate During Dry Periods
While rain can effectively water a lawn, dry periods require watering it yourself. Irrigation systems like sprinklers can make this a breeze. Alternatively, a hose with a sprinkling wand can make quick work of watering the lawn as well. If it is particularly hot and dry, consider watering multiple times a week, no more than three. In cooler season dry periods, you should water once or twice weekly. You’ll need to water for ten to twenty minutes during each session.
Choose the Best Grass for Your Climate
Not all grass is suitable for some climates. In particularly cold areas, such as Canada or Alaska, you’ll need grass that is hardy to frost, snow, and cold, such as red fescue. If you live in a sweltering area, you’ll want grasses resistant to extreme heat, especially if it regularly reaches above 90; Bermuda grass is one of the most heat-resistant grasses. Research your typical seasonal climate to determine which grasses will work best.
Keep the Lawn Tidy
Grass needs adequate sunshine to grow and stay healthy; it will die if it goes through periods without access to sunlight. Additionally, excess weight or walking can harm grass. When you place objects on your lawn, such as mats, pools, or toys, your grass will likely turn brown and even die after a certain period. When you keep your lawn free of debris or objects, your grass will receive adequate sunlight. Put away toys, equipment, or other objects when you’re done using them to avoid unhealthy patches of grass.
Consider Soil Testing
If you can’t keep grass alive after trying fertilizer, mowing strategies, and irrigation, there may be something wrong with your soil. You can test soil at home or by professionals, but once you receive test results, you can determine if your soil is hostile to plant life. In most cases, you can correct what is wrong with your soil by adding nutrients, but it takes time.
Prepare for Pet Damage
While we love our pets, you may notice grass damage where they ‘use the facilities’ on the lawn. Unfortunately, pet urine is particularly bad for grass health, as the excess nitrogen overwhelms the lawn. You can dedicate a section of your lawn to dog waste or encourage your dog to go on mulch, rocks, or astroturf as an alternative to avoid ruining your grass. Further, promote your dog’s hydration to lessen the nitrogen concentration in their urine. There are types of grasses that are more resistant than others to dog urine, like ryegrass. You can rinse the grass immediately after your dog urinates to disperse the concentration. Otherwise, you’re just going to have to accept that your dog isn’t going to help your lawn’s appearance.
Seed Bare Patches
Bare patches of lawn can be frustrating, especially if you’ve been adequately caring for your lawn. Consider using grass seed to fill in those patches when seasonally appropriate. You can also fill in grass patches with adequate watering and fertilization. To preserve your lawn’s health, make sure you keep pets away from growing lawn patches.
Conclusion
Lawn care isn’t the mystery most homeowners believe it is. Investing in a decent mower and other equipment makes the process much less frustrating. Irrigation during dry periods can help encourage a lawn’s growth. Testing soil can determine any issues with growing. Seeding bare patches and managing where your pet urinates can promote a healthy lawn.