Tending your lawn

Lawn care can be a big chore for anyone, and everyone just wants to see the finished product of a beautiful lawn. However, for many this dream is never realized because of common errors. I will discuss some of these errors to help you avoid them. First, a common mistake for many is cutting the grass far too short. When the grass gets cut too short; it will have problems regrowing, and thus weeds will invade. If the weeds invade then your lawn will look terrible. Do not get tempted into cutting your grass too short.

Another mishap that many of us run into is over watering our lawns. While lawns do need an average of about an inch of water per week; most lawns will receive this through regular rainfall. If you live in an area were there is hardly any rainfall then perhaps some watering is in order, so long as you don’t go too far over one inch per week. Finally, one of the most vital aspects of the lawn is one where we make the most errors.

The soil of your lawn must be tended to very well. You may be doing everything else right, and for some reason your lawn just refuses to grow. If this is the case then you need to get your soil tested professionally. By getting your soil tested an expert will be able to tell you if it is unhealthy. If you soil is unhealthy then it may in fact be contributing to the destruction of your lawn rather than the growth of it. Remember to not cut too short, not water too much, and always tend to your soil.

Over Watering Can Damage Your Lawn and Landscape

During the heat of summer, it is not unusual for people to feel they must water their lawn more than in spring or fall. While it is true that summer is hotter, and the water is absorbed faster, it does not mean you should overburden your grass or plants with water.

Water your grass only 3 times a week. This is sufficient. Many people can actually get away with only watering it twice a week. Over watering will also produce dead, brown grass, just as under watering will.

When you water your lawn or landscape plants do so in the early morning hours or in the evening. This is critical for your plants. Watering during the peek of the day can actually burn your plants. The heat from the sun will also cause the water to evaporate faster which causes the plants to absorb less from your watering.

Only water your lawn for about a half hour at a time. Grass roots are semi shallow and will absorb the water quickly once it hits the ground. Any additional water is just a waste for your lawn and will run up your water bill. Cutting down on watering time is also an environmentally friendly practice.

Do not over fertilize your lawn. Fertilize your lawn only as directed by the product you use or by a professional lawn company recommends. Over treatment will kill the lawn and can possibly cause damage to your soil.

Fertilizing Your Lawn

When you properly fertilize your lawn you make many things happen to it. Most people know that fertilization will make your lawn look much greener and help your grass grow. What most people don’t know is that fertilizing your lawn makes the grass seeds germinate faster and start growing up out of the ground quicker. Fertilizer also helps your grass get thicker and stronger so that it will hold up to harsh rain and other weather.

The question most people have to ask about fertilization is how often they should fertilize and when the best time to fertilize is. Well, your basic yard needs to be fertilized about four times per year, possibly more depending on the weather in your particular area. If you live in a very dry climate, then six times per year should be sufficient. Spread your fertilization periods about 2 months apart and begin in early spring before anything really starts to grow. That way when the new grass and flowers start blooming they will be stronger and more beautiful than before.

The thing that you want to make sure of it that you do not over fertilize your yard by using too much fertilizer or fertilizing to often. This will cause overgrowth in your yard and will make fungus grow around your lawn that will end up weakening your grass. Just follow the directions on the bag of fertilizer and you should do just fine. If you find this confusing, you can always ask a specialist at your local nursery what they recommend.