5 Things You Should Do to Keep Your Lawn Looking Great!

A lush and well-maintained lawn is a source of pride for many homeowners. Not only does it enhance the curb appeal of your property, but it also provides a comfortable space for outdoor activities and relaxation. However, achieving and maintaining a beautiful lawn requires effort, time, and a few essential techniques. In this blog post, we will discuss the key steps to maintaining your lawn to keep it healthy, green, and beautiful.

Fun Fact: Did you know the average riding lawn mower gets 4 miles per gallon?

1. Mowing

Mowing is one of the key practices in lawn maintenance. It helps to control the height of the grass, remove weed seeds, and encourage the development of a denser and healthier lawn. When mowing, it's important to keep the grass blades at a consistent height, depending on the type of grass you have. For instance, cool season grasses should be mowed higher than other types of grass.

In addition to height, the amount of times that you mow is also crucial. As a general rule, you should mow your lawn often enough so that you're not removing more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. This means that if your grass is 3 inches tall, you should mow it when it reaches 4.5 inches. Regular mowing not only helps to maintain a consistent height but also reduces stress on the grass and promotes better growth.

2. Watering

Watering is another critical aspect of lawn maintenance, especially during hot and dry periods. Grass needs water to thrive, but too much or too little water can cause problems. As a rule of thumb, you should water your lawn deeply and infrequently, rather than shallowly and frequently. This means giving your lawn at least one inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.

To ensure that your lawn receives adequate water, it's important to water at the right time of day. Early morning is the best time to water your lawn, as it allows the grass to absorb moisture before the heat of the day evaporates it. Avoid watering your lawn in the evening or at night, as this can promote the growth of fungi and other diseases.

3. Fertilizing

Fertilizing your lawn provides the essential nutrients that grass needs to grow strong and healthy. When fertilizing, it's important to choose the right type of fertilizer for your grass type and apply it at the right time. For example, cool-season grasses should be fertilized in the spring and fall, while warm-season grasses should be fertilized in the summer.

When applying fertilizer, make sure to follow the instructions carefully, and avoid over-fertilizing, as this can damage the grass and harm the environment. You should also choose a slow-release fertilizer, which provides nutrients to the grass over an extended period, rather than a quick-release fertilizer, which can cause a surge of growth followed by a decline.

4. Aerating

Aerating your lawn involves creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the roots of the grass. Aerating is essential for compacted soils, which can prevent grass from receiving the necessary nutrients and water. It also helps to promote better drainage and reduce thatch buildup.

You can aerate your lawn either by using a manual aerator tool or by hiring a professional lawn care service. The best time to aerate your lawn is in the spring or fall, when the grass is actively growing.

5. Controlling weeds and pests

Weeds and pests can quickly take over your lawn and damage the grass, making it important to take action to control them. You can control weeds by using sprays, but this can damage the grass if you do it too often. It’s a balancing act trying to mitigate the weeds and pets, without over chemical saturating your lawn.