How to Get Your Lawn Looking Like New Again
Lawns are a beautiful part of any home. They provide shade, privacy, and help maintain your property value. However, keeping a lawn green and lush all year long isn’t easy. It takes work and dedication to keep it looking nice. That is why you need the best lawn care tips to get yours looking as great as possible. Lawn maintenance can be tricky if you don’t have the right information to back you up. There are so many different factors that come into play when it comes to caring for your lawn; soil composition, pH level, sunlight exposure, climate, and more. Clearly understanding these components will help you determine what types of grass thrive best in your yard. With that being said, here are some helpful tips on how to get your lawn looking like new again:
Mowing
The most important part of lawn care is mowing. Mowing too frequently will cause your grass to be weak, thin, and brown. Mowing too infrequently means that your grass will grow too tall, stay thick, and be more prone to weeds and diseases. Mowing your lawn at the right time of year, however, is what will make all the difference. In the spring, begin mowing your lawn when the grass has grown to between 2-3 inches. In the summer, mowing should happen every 3-4 weeks, making sure to keep it at 2-3 inches. In the fall, mowing should be done every 4-6 weeks with the same height.
Aeration
Aeration is a great way to improve the health of your lawn. When you aerate your lawn, you are taking small cores out of the soil. This allows oxygen and water to reach the soil, which is beneficial for your lawn’s growth. Aeration is best done in the fall. You can aerate your lawn with a machine or by using a long-tined spading fork. If you choose the fork method, be gentle so that you don’t go too deep into the soil. Once you’ve aerated your lawn, be sure to rake out the cores and spread some fertilizer.
Overseeding and fertilizing
If you’re noticing your lawn is growing a bit thin, then it might be time to consider seeding. There are two types of grasses: warm-season and cool-season grasses. Cool-season grasses thrive in cooler weather while warm-season grasses do best in warm weather. Fescue and Kentucky bluegrass are considered cool-season grasses, so you should seed in the fall. Plus, fertilizing your lawn in the fall will help it grow thicker for the winter months. Espalier, zoysia, and bermudagrass are considered warm-season grasses. They thrive in the spring and should be fertilized in the spring.
Irrigation
As we all know, the best way to keep your lawn green is with irrigation. But, it’s not just about watering your lawn when it first starts to look a little dry. Lawns should be watered on a schedule, just like a plant in a pot. If you have a small yard, a soaker hose is the best way to go. For a larger yard, you can use a sprinkler, but make sure to use an irrigation timer so you don’t have to be there to shut it off when it’s done. You should water your lawn as soon as the soil is dry (about 3-4 inches deep). You should also water your lawn every day, but only when it’s sunny out.
Weed control
Weed control can be difficult to do organically. If your lawn is already established, you can use the pre-emergent herbicide, corn gluten meal, to prevent weeds from growing in your yard. If you are just maintaining a new lawn, however, using an organic weed killer is your best bet. Herbicides aren’t the best for your lawn and can damage your soil, so it’s best to get your weeds under control by hand. Hand weeding is the best way to kill weeds without hurting your lawn.
Conclusion
As you can see, lawn care can be a little tricky. Thankfully, these tips on how to get your lawn looking like new again will help you maintain a healthy lawn throughout the year. If you follow these tips, your lawn will flourish and look great all year long. It will also be ready when spring rolls around and you’re ready to start mowing again!
