All homeowners desire to have a beautiful, plush green lawn and a great security system from security companies in Winnipeg – which, by the way, we’ll be talking about in another post! However, maintaining the lawns in this condition requires hard work. Here are some essential lawn care tips that will aid your quest for that perfect lawn.
Preparation
Before you plant a new lawn, it is vital to prepare and plan. Regardless of the planting method you intend to use, you must prepare the planting area meticulously to eradicate weeds and ensure that the soil does not crust or form lumpy ruts. One critical step, which most gardeners usually skip, is performing pH tests on the soil. You can use simplified test kits from catalogs or nurseries. You can also take advantage of the facilities offered by the agricultural institutions in your locality.
Soil aeration
Heavy and continuous foot traffic can compact the soil in the lawn, causing water runoff which leaves your lawn looking tired and lacking in vibrant colors. To rectify this, poke holes in the ground to aerate the lawn soil. You can either use a lawn aerator, rented from a rental center in your local area or aerate manually using a tool such as a pitchfork. Aeration also ensures proper soil moisturization.
Fertilization
Applying fertilizer when spring starts will give your lawn a running start and applying again in late spring will enhance the nourishing effect during summer-which is the prime lawn-growing time .Take care to pull out weeds such as broadleaf weeds whose growth will also be boosted by the application of the fertilizer.
Mowing
When you are mowing, do not cut the grass too short, as this stresses it. Gardening experts recommend that you raise the mower to the highest notch and therefore cut the uppermost third of the grass. Taller grass enhances root development and shades the ground so it does not dry too fast. It also blocks the sun and this helps to curb the germination of weed seeds. In addition, unlike what many people believe, cutting the grass short does not mean you will not mow it often. Shortly-cut grass will often renew itself very quickly, so you will not save any time.
During early spring, you should ensure you do proper maintenance on your lawnmower and other tools. You need to sharpen the mower blades and change the spark plug, filters and oil.
Overseeding
As time passes, your lawn starts to fade and the rate of grass reproduction goes down. Your lawn may also start to develop unhealthy-looking patches which are susceptible to weeds. To avoid this, you need to spread some grass seeds over the whole lawn once the snow has gone. This will result in new grass popping in the unhealthy area, ensuring that your lawn remains thick and beautiful.
Thorough watering
A thorough weekly soaking makes the roots of your lawn to extend deeper into the ground. This makes your lawn more drought-resistant. Conversely, watering frequently and shallowly results in thatching, which is an ugly network of brown runner roots which can be seen above the soil. Deep watering also helps to combat chinch bugs which thrive on poor stressed-out lawns. Generally, healthy lawns require one inch of water each week. Early morning is the appropriate time to water the lawn, since less water is lost to evaporation. It is advisable to water for half an inch, then give it one or two hours before watering the other half-inch.