Spring is in the air and for many people that means spending more time outdoors. Having a green and well-cared for lawn is part of the attraction for having family barbeques and playing in the yard. Follow these lawn care tips to keep your yard looking healthy all summer long:
If you remove more than 1/3 of each blade of grass your lawn will begin to show signs of stress. When more than 1/3 of the grass is cut, it reduces the amount of surface area of the blade available to absorb sunlight and leave the lawn as a whole less healthy. Instead, only mow your lawn when it has grown enough that you won’t be cutting so much that it doesn’t thrive and grow.
When your lawn is allowed to grow long, the roots of each blade grow deeper and get a more secure hold of the earth under them. This positions them to better withstand drought and pests.
Keep the blades on your lawn mower sharp and clean. Cleaner cuts of grass provide an enhanced appearance to your lawn and the blades of grass recover easier. While it depends on how much you use your lawn mower and how much lawn you have, a good rule of thumb is to have the blades sharpened twice per season.
Use fertilizer to gain a green and healthy looking lawn. Read the directions on the fertilizer bag or, ask for input from your landscaper. You have to apply fertilizer at just the right time for it to be beneficial.
If your lawn has brown circles or dry areas you could have a problem. These “brownouts” are usually caused by insects or fungal disease. Talk with your landscaper about how to address these issues and get your lawn back to a healthy state.
Make sure to water your lawn enough that the water gets down deep. A safe rule to follow is one inch of water to twelve inches of soil. Water your lawn for an extended period of time once every three days rather than watering it a little bit every day.
Now that spring is here it’s time to be proactive about caring for your lawn. Follow these tips to get your lawn summer-ready and talk with your landscaper if you have any questions.