6 Lawn Care Tricks for Healthier, Thicker and Greener Lawn

If you ask an Englishman how to grow a beautiful lawn, he’ll tell you to water, mow, repeat for 100 years, and voilà – you’ll have a thick, and healthy lawn. It really is as simple as that. Add some careful fertilization and pest control to it, and you don’t even have to wait for 100 years. Same rules apply to a large expanse of green and a tiny patch, and here they are.

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6 Lawn Care Tricks for Healthier, Thicker and Greener Lawn

1. Choose your grass

Not all grass species are suited for all climates or soil types. Take your time choosing grass that is well adapted to your climate. Consider the amount of water the grass needs, its tolerance for shade, nutrients it requires, etc. If you are putting a new lawn, you can choose between seeds, which are cheaper and easier to install, but you will have to wait for months for the results, or turf, which takes time and effort to install but you get an instant lawn. Just put the final touch with some garden furniture.

2. Water deeply

Watering needs depend on the grass type and soil properties, but a general rule of thumb is to water the lawn only when it becomes to wilt. If you water too often, but with little water, your grass will stay near the surface, and deep roots are what makes your lawn strong. The best way is to soak it slowly and deeply. Water in the early morning or late evening, especially during summer months, to reduce evaporation.

3. Mow high

The rule is to never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blades’ height. Longer grass takes in more sunlight, and grows stronger. If you have grass pavers on your lawn, by setting the mower a bit higher, you will avoid breaking the blades. Keep the blades sharp, as the mower should cut the grass, not tear it.

4. Fight weeds

Whenever possible, avoid chemicals. Most weeds can be eliminated by changing lawn care habits. After the rain, they should be easily pulled up by hand. If you decide to use an herbicide, follow label instructions, and apply it only in problematic areas.

5. Fertilize your lawn

Fertilizing once a year is quite enough. Follow the instructions on the packaging as it is easy to burn the lawn with improper use of fertilizers. To avoid any damage, opt for organic fertilizers, especially if you use the lawn as your outdoor home and spend a lot of time on it.

6. Test your soil

Testing the soil provides information on the available nutrients and pH of the soil. This is useful when choosing grass. Most lawns like a mixture of clay, silt, and sand, and slightly acidic soils, with a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Even if your soil is not grass-friendly, you can improve it by adding nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium.

A lush verdant lawn is not only an important asset to your home, it also plays an important role in the local microclimate. Do you care for your environment?

Author’s Bio: Lana Hawkins is a passionate food lover and an architecture student, who likes to write about landscaping and garden design. She is interested in sustainable architecture, and enjoys spending time in nature, cycling.