A lush, healthy lawn adds beauty and value to your home. But, as a new homeowner, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to lawn care.
Follow our lawn care advice for beginners to learn how to mow with prowess, fertilize with gusto and mulch with confidence.
Know Your Grass Type
A beautiful lawn is one of the most important features of any home. It adds curb appeal, provides a great place for kids and pets to play, and helps protect the soil and environment.
Taking care of your lawn starts with knowing its type. Different grasses have different needs, and they grow best in specific conditions. For example, fescue grows well in cooler climates and requires less water than other types of grass.
The type of grass in your yard will also determine when you should water and fertilize it. Watering your lawn at the right time of year will help prevent weeds and other problems. Adding fertilizer at the recommended time of year will help the grass thrive.
If you are unsure of what type of grass is in your yard, consider having the soil tested. A soil test will tell you what nutrients are available to the grass and how much to apply. This will prevent nutrient runoff, which is bad for the environment and your health. Aerating your yard is also vital for keeping the grass healthy. It creates open spaces in the soil, allowing roots to absorb oxygen and nutrients more easily.
Create a Maintenance Schedule
A lush lawn is a source of pride and happiness for homeowners, and it adds to the curb appeal of a home. The key to maintaining a healthy, beautiful lawn is consistency. Regularly mowing your lawn at the proper height, removing weeds as they grow, and scattering grass seed in bare areas can help promote lush growth. Watering deeply, aerating the soil, and getting rid of grubs are also important parts of maintaining your yard.
The best lawn care advice for beginners is to create a maintenance schedule that is consistent with the type of grass you have and the weather conditions in your area. For example, if you have tall fescue, it should be mowed at two and a half inches most of the year. The taller height helps prevent crabgrass and other weeds from taking over the yard.
It is recommended to have your soil tested and apply amendments as needed. A popular choice is Milorganite, which is safe for your lawn and the environment, and can be applied without harming children or pets.
Mow Your Lawn at the Right Height
One of the most important things you can do to promote healthy, lush grass is to mow it regularly. Regular mowing can help your lawn grow thick and green, and it can also make weeds less likely to compete with the grass for water and nutrients.
When you mow, try not to cut more than a third of the grass height at any time. Cutting too much can stress the lawn, and it will make it harder to keep weeds out. You should also be sure to always leave the clippings on the ground as they are full of valuable nutrients for your lawn.
Another great way to encourage healthy grass is to remove weeds as soon as you see them. Weeds can choke out the grass, making it hard for it to get the nutrients and sunlight it needs to thrive. You can pull weeds by hand or use a weed killer to get rid of them. Also, be sure to keep debris and children’s toys out of the yard as this can prevent the grass from getting the air, sun, and nutrients it needs to thrive.
Remove Weeds
Weeds are invasive plants that compete with grass for water, nutrients, and sunlight. They also produce a lot of seeds that can spread quickly. This is why it’s important to keep them in check.
One way to do this is by removing the weeds from the ground as soon as you notice them. This can be done by hand or with a handheld tool like a weeder or daisy grubber. Another option is to rake the area before you mow, which will lift the weeds up into the mower blades where they’ll be killed or weakened over time.
If you do choose to use a chemical, make sure you identify the type of weed you’re working with first. Some treatments are specific to broadleaf weeds while others are intended for grass-like weeds. Then you can choose the best method for your situation. Some treatments are also intended for specific soil conditions, so you’ll need to know the pH of your lawn before using them. It should be around 6.0 to 7.0 for a healthy lawn.
Keep Your Mower Clean
Your lawn is your home’s first impression, so it’s important to keep it healthy and well-maintained. However, if you’re new to homeownership or just starting out with your own yard, maintaining your lawn may seem daunting. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Regularly mowing your lawn is a crucial step for healthy grass. This encourages root growth and can help to block out weeds. It is also a good idea to only mow when the grass is dry. Wet grass blades are weighed down and won’t cut as effectively.
Clean your mower regularly, especially the deck under the blade. This isn’t as visually appealing, but it helps to ensure that your mower operates properly. If the deck gets full of dried grass clippings, it can deflect the blade and prevent efficient cutting.
Having your soil tested can help you determine what nutrients and supplements are necessary for a healthy lawn. Be careful about over fertilizing because excess can lead to disease and nutrient runoff, which is harmful to the environment.
Water Your Lawn Deeply
Having a lush, green lawn can enhance the curb appeal of your home and provide a perfect place for family gatherings and entertaining guests. But growing a beautiful lawn requires a lot of work. To get the best results, water your grass deeply and regularly.
The amount of water needed to keep your lawn healthy depends on the climate in your area and the type of soil in your yard. Sandy soils lose water quickly, while clay soils retain water for longer periods of time. To determine how much water your yard needs, perform a soil test, which can be done at most nurseries and home improvement stores.
It is recommended to water your lawn about 1 to 2 inches per week during the summer. To avoid over-watering, water in the morning, when temperatures are cooler and there is less evaporation. Make sure the water penetrates deep into the soil so that the roots are well hydrated. Watering too shallowly can result in withered grass and weeds. Aim to have moisture reach 6 to 8 inches deep.
Mulch Your Lawn
If you’re not careful, your lawn can become a dumping ground for everything from pet poop to toys. Any items left on your lawn deprive the grass of vital nutrients, so remove them as soon as possible. Don’t let trash or debris sit in your yard for too long, either – it can cause disease and kill grass.
Mulching is a great way to improve your lawn, but it’s only effective when done right. Jonathan says the best time to mulch is in May when fast-growing grass is ready and the clippings can help suppress weeds and return nutrients to the soil.
Raking leaves is another important part of lawn care. The last thing you want is a thick mat of moldy leaves that can invite pests and make it difficult for grass to photosynthesize properly. Be sure to rake your leaves up as soon as they turn brown and sift them through a compost bin or garbage can for safe disposal.
Get Rid of Grubs
Grubs are a common problem that can destroy your lawn. They feed on grass roots, preventing the plant from getting the water and nutrients it needs. This can cause brown patches of lawn that look dead and damaged. You can prevent grubs by taking several steps.
First, make sure that you actually have a grub problem. Other issues can cause similar-looking brown spots, so it’s important to diagnose correctly. You can do this by pulling up a small section of your lawn. If the soil feels soft and spongy, it’s likely due to a grub infestation.
To starve grubs, you can limit the amount of moisture that your grass receives. This isn’t always easy, since most types of grass require regular watering, but you can try to avoid overwatering your yard. You can also use a powdered substance called sodium tetraborate decahydrate (also known as Borax) to kill grubs and other pests. This natural substance contains boron and is safe for most types of grass. Another option is to add beneficial nematodes to your soil. These microscopic worms can kill grubs without harming the surrounding plants, but they take time to work. You can buy them at garden and home centers or online.