Maintaining a thick green lawn without weeds does not have to be labor intensive. However, it does entail choosing the right variety of grass, supplying the right amount of water, fertilizing at the right time and with the correct amount of nutrients. It also requires observing the lawn regularly and dealing with problems before they escalate. Here are some steps that can give you beautiful lawn:
1. Think about the yard’s preventive health care
Before you think about planting your grass, you must think about preventive health care for the lawn. Preventive health care for healthy, green lawn consists of following steps:
- Maintaining soil’s health
- Choosing a grass type that can withstand the climate
- Selecting proper method of lawn raising: seeding, plastering, sprinkling, dibbling, turfing or artificial lawn making.
- Mowing the lawn regularly
- Watering deeply
- Correcting thatch build-up
Always set realistic goals as to how much time you can spend on the yard each week. If you are busy, it is best to employ landscaping services to take care of your lawn.
2. Let nature do the work for you
The secret to maintaining a green and thick lawn is to work with nature. Create the right conditions for the grass to thrive. In order to get a good lawn from scratch, plant the right variety of grass in the right direction. South, South-west or South east with good availability of water are ideal conditions.
3. Dig to the right depth
When planting your lawn, you must first dig the soil to the right depth of at least 45 cm depth. Turn the soil several times to get rid of rocks and roots and also break big clumps of soil.
4. Get rid of weeds
To get thicker, greener grass from scratch without weeds, you need to irrigate the soil properly before planting the grass. In order to get a lawn without weeds, allow the weeds to germinate in the water. You can also remove weed roots manually or use an herbicide at the rate of 1.5 liter per hectare mixed in 1000 liter of water.
5. Use proper growing medium
Using the right soil or growing medium is a surefire way to grow a healthy lawn. Sandy-loamy soil drained with good capacity and having ph of 5-6 along with sufficient humus or organic matter is the best way to get a beautiful lawn. If your soil is too acidic, you can add lime to sweeten it.Likewise, if the soil is not acid enough, you can make it sour by adding sulfur.
6. Fertilize at least once a year
This is an important among all tips for healthy lawn. You must fertilize the soil at least once a year to provide nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Most commercial fertilizers contain these three vital ingredients. Also be careful not to over-fertilize the grass. If possible, use a slow release fertilizer that feeds the grass slowly.
7. Test the soil periodically
Testing the soil will help determine the ph of the soil. You can call an expert landscaping service who can also guide you into choosing the right compost, fertilizer and other soil amendments.
8. Level the ground for proper drainage
This is one of the important tips for a healthy lawn. For uniformity of growth, you must level the soil and grade one foot per each 50 feet. Check the leveling visually or by flooding the area.
9. Mow often
The thumb rule to follow for mowing the grass is to never cut more than a third of the height of the grass blades. Always use a mower with sharp blades to prevent injury to the grass blades. Remember: grass adjusts better to frequent mowing. Do allow the cut clippings of grass to cover the lawn as they help recycle nitrogen.
10. Know the signs of when to water
Water the grass when it begins to wilt, when the color fades or when footprints stay compressed for more than a few seconds. Always water the grass in a manner that it imitates slow soaking rain. In hot summer months, water early morning to reduce evaporation. Apply enough water so that it penetrates 6-8 inches into the soil. Allow the water to dry completely before watering again.
11. Dethatch
Dethatching is another important step to make your lawn greener and thicker. Dethatch in spring with an aeroblade or a dethatcher so that the grass recovers faster and is less prone to weeds.
12. Use integrated pest management
Integrated pest management or IPM is the use of biological, chemical and cultural pest control tactics that have minimal impact on environment. Note that all pesticides are toxic to some extent and could kill earthworms and other organisms that are beneficial to us.
13. Choose the right landscaping company
If you must, always select a licensed, registered landscaping company to take care of your yard. This is the easiest way to get a green lawn fast. You can get recommendations from your local town office or the Better Business Bureau. Discuss your yard’s problems and solutions before hiring the professionals. Make sure they use EPA approved pesticides only.
Our yard is the extension of our homes and a well maintained yard is great for relaxing or playing ball with the kids. There are many ways to make your grass greener and thicker. You can also always employ the services of a landscaping company as these professionals know all the tips needed for a healthy, beautiful lawn.