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When it comes to keeping your lawn looking great, there are a few simple things you can do to make the process a little bit easier. From taking better care of your lawn mower to watering and feeding your lawn at the right times, follow these tips, and you’ll be able to keep your grass looking lush, green and vibrant all season long!
Water your lawn regularly, especially during the hot summer months
A green, healthy lawn is the envy of every neighborhood. Achieving that perfect lawn requires effort and planning, though. One important factor in having a healthy lawn is ensuring it gets watered regularly, especially during the hot summer when evaporation rates are high. Depending on your location, you may need to water every day or every other day.
The best time to water your lawn is early morning before the sun becomes too hot. This gives the water a chance to seep into the ground and reach the roots of the grass, where it can do the most good. If you water in the evening, you risk mold and mildew growth due to the extended periods of moisture. So, if you want a lush, green lawn, give it plenty of water during the summer months.
Fertilize your lawn at least twice a year for optimal growth
A healthy lawn requires regular fertilization to maintain its lush color and prevent unwanted growth. The best time to apply fertilizer is in the spring and fall when the grass is actively growing. However, you may also need to fertilize more frequently if your lawn is subject to heavy wear and tear.
Using a slow-release or controlled release fertilizer is recommended, as these release their nutrients slowly into the soil, over six months. This produces sustained, strong, steady lawn growth, which helps reduce the frequency of mowing, improves lawn quality, and can also help ward off diseases.
Quick-release fertilizers work differently, they release all of their nutrients into the lawn almost instantly, producing a short period of rapid lawn growth followed by a longer period of little or no growth! This may be what a badly damaged lawn might need, but that’s not ideal for most lawns. The high amounts of water-soluble nitrogen salts in quick-release fertilizers are able to be taken up very quickly by plants, but these salts can also burn plant roots, causing fertilizer burn of the lawn, an issue most often associated with quick-release fertilizers when they’re not applied correctly.
When applying fertilizer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Over-fertilizing with any fertilizer can damage your lawn, so applying the right amount of product is essential. With a little care and attention, you can keep your lawn looking its best all year round.
Weed control
Weed control is important for a healthy lawn. Weeds can compete with your grass for water and nutrients. They can also harbor pests and diseases that could damage your lawn. To control weeds, you can either pull them by hand or use a safe, natural herbicide. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully when using any kind herbicides, as you don’t want to harm any other plants.
In addition, you can prevent weeds from taking over your lawn by mowing regularly and keeping your grass healthy. Mow your lawn at least once a week, and raise the blade on your mower to a higher setting when you cut your grass, leaving the grass a bit longer. This will help prevent weeds from getting a foothold.
Clean and maintain your lawn care equipment
Your lawn care equipment, such as your mower and trimmer, need to be cleaned and maintained regularly. After each use, clean your equipment with a brush to remove any grass clippings or dirt that could cause rusting or damage the equipment.
In addition, inspect the blades on your mower regularly to make sure they’re not too badly damaged. If they are, get replacement parts for your mower, as sharp blades will give you a cleaner cut, which looks much better, and help prevent damage to your lawn, keeping it healthy.
These simple tips can help keep your lawn and garden looking great all season long. From regularly watering to fertilizing and weed control, a little effort goes a long way towards maintaining a healthy and beautiful yard. So, get out there and enjoy your garden!
Thank you very much Angelo,
I have actually eradicated all my lawn through extensive cardboard/ newspaper salvaged from local newsagent and mostly free tree pruning mulch and a few huglecultures and fruit trees ect. I am gradually replacing my front nature strip with white clover, myoporium and dymondia and a little dwarf mondo grass. This is over soil amended compost and organic potting mix and coco peat. I can’t let it get higher than 20 cm high as I am considering any of my neighbors with mobility difficulties, as I wouldn’t want them to trip. I have thought about perennial peanut to grow there as well. What do you think? All the best Lani
Hi Lani, it’s great to see people replacing their nature strip or verge lawn on the footpath with gardens. There’s no real need to add potting mix as a soil amendment, as it’s designed for containers, and is expensive. The compost and coco peat are sufficient.
I’m not sure how all those plants would work together unless they were separated from each other somehow, otherwise they will all grow through each other, as the perennial peanut and white clover can be used as lawn alternatives that multiply below the soil to fill an area on their own, and they’re both nitrogen-fixing plants which helps with their strong growth. The perennial peanut will out-compete grasses and weeds and needs a warmer climate. The myoporum typically lays on the surface and grows outwards.