Lawn care in Conway, AR is a hobby that many people engage in for its benefits. Aside from giving your property’s curb appeal a healthy boost, a well-maintained lawn also offers fresher air, healthier soil, and a more relaxing overall ambiance.
But while the hobby can be fulfilling, there are times when keeping up with the associated maintenance tasks can become challenging. Over time, the maintenance expenses may pile up. Plus, the sheer effort needed to tick everything off your lawn maintenance to-do list can leave you exhausted.
If this is the case for you, then you probably have yet to learn about these eight best lawn maintenance secrets:
1. Leave Grass Cuttings on the Ground
Many lawnmowers shred grass clippings and drop them back into the lawn. If you have a mulching mower, chances are it would cut up the clippings into smaller pieces and deposit these back onto the lawn’s surface.
If this is the type of equipment you have, then you probably should just let it do its thing. Once they rot, the shredded clippings will serve as nourishment and help the grass grow thicker and healthier.
You see, the shredded grass can help reduce the amount of fertilizer your lawn needs by about one-third to one-half. This process is called mulching.
So quit bagging those grass cuttings and watch your lawn (as well as your savings) grow.
2. Raise Up Low Yellow Spots
When you find low yellow spots in your lawn, the first thing that comes to mind is a lawn invader. But before you head to the store to buy fungus and pest treatments, you should probably think again.
Most of the time, these yellow spots appear after heavy rain. When this happens, the grass tends to suffocate or rot from being soaked in water too much.
Luckily, there’s an easy remedy for this: Simply spread a layer of compost over the area in question. This will raise it up to the same level as that of the surrounding soil. Leave it for about two weeks, and new grass will eventually shoot out and fill the patch.
3. Reseed Bald Patches to Prevent Weeds
Aside from yellowing grass, another issue many lawn keepers face is the emergence of bald patches. Since Mother Nature is eager to grow things, there’s a chance that these patches will end up with nasty weeds if the grass doesn’t begin growing.
To prevent this, reseed the patchy spaces to fill them with grass. While you’re at it, overseed your entire turf, especially if it’s looking a bit thin. Doing so will help you get a thicker, more beautiful lawn.
4. Let Your Lawn Breathe
If you have a beautiful lawn, you and your family will probably spend a lot more time on it. Kids will play around while adults walk or sit on it to have a picnic. All these activities can leave the soil compacted.
When this happens, the grass on your lawn won’t be able to get enough water, oxygen, and nutrients. This is where a process called aeration can come in handy.
Aeration is often done to deal with hard and dense soil on gardens and lawns. However, it should be done periodically – ideally once in spring and autumn – to make sure that the grass gets all that it needs to thrive.
To start, simply mow the lawn and rake away any thatch. Then, begin pushing the fork down to the grass from the corner of your yard. Make sure that the full length of the tine gets into the soil before taking it out.
Do this in areas about four to six inches apart until you’ve covered the entire lawn. Finally, sweep sand over the holes to fill them up and water to let them set.
5. Alternate Your Mowing Direction
Perfectly striped lawns are a subject of envy among homeowners. However, maintaining a strict mowing pattern can actually cause more harm than good for your lawn.
You see, consistently mowing in the same direction can cause the turf to lay flat. Aside from not springing back, this can also cause the wheels of your mower to rust.
Random pattern mowing can help you get evenly cut grass, making it crucial in maintaining a healthy lawn.
6. Test the Soil Before Fertilizing
You probably know that you should fertilize your lawn to keep it healthy, but did you know that it needs to be tested first? Soil testing lets you know not only the type of soil you have, but also the nutrients the soil needs during fertilization.
During a soil test, soil samples will be collected from your lawn. After you send the samples to a lab for analysis, you will get a list of nutrients that are recommended for lawn fertilization. When you know what your lawn needs, then you’ll be able to “feed” it the right mixture of fertilizer for optimum grass health.
7. Fertilize at the Right Season
Another thing about fertilization is that the timing isn’t the same everywhere in the world.
A study from Harris Poll revealed that about 64 percent of American adults think that lawns should be fertilized in spring. However, this may not always be the case.
Although homeowners in some parts of the United States need to fertilize in spring, others don’t. Remember that while cool-season grasses in the northern hemisphere can get the most out of spring fertilization, southern lawns with grasses that thrive in warm seasons are best fertilized in the summer or early autumn.
8. Don’t Mow Too Short
Finally, one thing that can make or break the beauty and health of your lawn is the mowing height.
Some people decide to cut their lawns too short in the hopes of needing to mow less frequently. But lawns with longer grasses end up needing less water, doing more photosynthesis, being more resistant to weeds, and, ultimately, becoming greener and healthier.
Lawn care and landscaping experts in Conway, AR recommend keeping the mowing height at three to three and a half inches during the summer. Remember not to cut more than a third of the entire length of the grass blade at a single time.
It would also help to keep your mower blades sharp. This will prevent them from tearing up the grass. A clean and crisp cut will help you avoid browning grass tips that give the lawn a less-than-healthy appearance.
Lawn Keeping Secrets Revealed
Keeping a lawn is both fulfilling and tiring at the same time. Fortunately, there are certain things that make it a lot easier. Consider this article as a helpful guide to achieving a healthier, greener lawn.
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