Growing a lush, green, healthy lawn shouldn’t be a struggle, but it does require time and effort if you are taking care of it yourself. Make your turf the talk of the town with these four tips and your neighbors will be green with envy.

Know How to Mow

Proper mowing is key to a healthy lawn, however, each type of grass comes with its own set of rules. First, find out what type of turf you have. This determines the optimal height to keep your grass.

A good rule of thumb is not to cut more than one-third of the blade height during one mowing. Keep cool-season grasses between 3 and 3-1/2 inches, while warm-season grasses do better between 2 and 3 inches. When in doubt, leave the lawn a little higher. Taller grass shades the soil better, keeping the sun from drying up too much moisture and allowing the roots to grow deeper. It also crowds out unwanted weeds and keeps any weed seeds in the dark, preventing them from germinating.

Maintain your mower. Grass recovers from mowing easier when the cut is cleaner, and this requires a sharp blade and proper upkeep.

Water It Well

Water less frequently, but for longer periods of time. This helps grass grow a deep, healthy root system. A deep watering every three or four days, rather than shallow watering every day or so, should give your grass the moisture it needs. However, wilted or curling blades, faded color, or a grayish blue tint to your grass could mean it’s not enough.

The best time to water your lawn is in the morning. The air is cooler and less likely to evaporate before it reaches the roots. During the warmer afternoon hours, water evaporates too quickly. And watering at night can result in moist conditions that promote fungi, molds, and other diseases.

Let It Breathe

A healthy lawn needs to breathe. During the warmer months, your yard experiences more foot traffic, wear and tear, and exposure to the elements. This causes soil to compact and not get enough oxygen.

Lawns also get a layer of thatch, which is a buildup of dead grass and debris. A thin layer of thatch is good, but if it’s more than a half inch it blocks out light, air, water, and nutrients. Aeration, the process of boring holes in the soil, breaks up thatch and compact soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to better penetrate the soil and reach the roots. To sum it up, the holes let the lawn breathe, which in turn encourages growth. Aerate cool season turf grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass in the spring or fall and follow it up with fertilizing.

Ward off Weeds

Winning the war on weeds takes persistence, but you’ll be ahead of the battle with a thick, healthy lawn to crowd out potential invasions. So, all of the tips listed above get you on your way to creating an environment less inviting to these unwanted plants.

Weeds find a way into lawns when grass is sparse or there are bare spots. Dense, hardy turf crowds them out. So make sure to reseed as needed.

Preventing weeds from making a mess of your lawn is easier than stopping a full-on infestation. For this, use a pre-emergent herbicide to target the ones that are most difficult to destroy and can’t be totally removed by hand. Follow directions on the label carefully, or consult a lawn specialist if you are unsure about what to use and how to use it. Also, an expert can identify the weeds first to ensure that the proper treatment and products are used.

Need Help Getting a Healthy Lawn?

Achieving terrific turf takes time and effort, so if you are short on either of those, call in an expert. Contact Free Spray Lawn Care at 419-529-5296 and let us create the healthy lawn you’ve always wanted.