Is there anything more beautiful than a
perfectly manicured lawn? There's something so natural and serene about
bright green grass, cut to the perfect length, with not a weed in sight
as the owner sits on his or her porch, sipping an iced tea. It's not
easy to create the perfect lawn because there are so many variables that
come into play, but with a little patience, it can be done.
Mowing
Many people believe in cutting a lawn as short as possible, because it means more time between mowings. Who has the time to mow anyway, and doesn't a shorter lawn mean a better lawn? Wrong. Most grasses need about two to three inches of length to survive, and another inch or so in the summer. Without that length, the lawn may develop bald patches and weeds will thrive.Instead of cutting the grass short, mow it more frequently. The grass grows faster and more lush and it helps keep out those pesky weeds. It also helps to keep the blades sharp on the mower. Sharp blades actually cut the grass, versus chopping them with a dull blade. Dull blades cause the grass to look like it has gone a few rounds in the boxing ring.
A good rule of thumb is to never cut more than one-third of length of the grass at a time. So, if your grass is six inches high, only cut three inches. Cutting high forces the roots deeper into the ground and deeper roots mean healthier plants that need less water.
Lastly, never mow a lawn after a rain shower or while it still has morning dew. The soil becomes compacted and the grass' roots can't breathe, making it hard for it to survive. Certain areas will be worse than others and the lawn will develop bald spots.
Here's a quick review:
- Avoid cutting the grass too short.
- Most grass need two to three inches of length to survive.
- Never cut more than one-third of the grass at a time.
- Cutting high leads to deeper roots, which keep plants healthier.
- Never mow a lawn after it rains or if it still has morning dew.
Watering
Many people inadvertently over-water their lawns. The general belief is the more water the better, but over watering can be just as bad as not watering enough. People wouldn't over-water the plants in their home, but they forget about that principle with their lawn.Instead of watering on a daily basis or every few days, actually examine the soil and grass to see if it needs water. If the grass develops a blue tinge, or if the soil is resistant when a metal object such as a screwdriver is plunged into the ground, then it's time to water.
When watering is needed, don't flood the lawn. Only give it about an inch of water per irrigation and then move on to another area of the lawn. Soils with large amounts of clay won't absorb the water well and form pools even with only an inch of water. Instead, irrigate about half an inch over two days and if it still pools, then a third of an inch over three days.
It may be tempting to water at night when no one is using the lawn, but this is just asking for disease. The evening watering, plus the dew of the morning, means longer dampness. Instead, water the lawn just before dawn to maximize the wetness and avoid the evaporation of the midday sun.
Here's a quick review:
- Don't over-water your lawn.
- Examine the soil and grass to see if it needs watering.
- A blue tinge on the grass means it's time for watering.
- Hard, tough soil means it's time for a watering.
- Soils with clay should be irrigated at half an inch over two days, or a third of an inch over three days to avoid water pools from forming.
- Don't water your lawn at night.
Fertilizer
Once again, people tend to think that more is better for lawns when it comes to fertilizer, but a little bit goes a long way. Fertilizing promotes faster growth, and this means more mowing. There are two types of fertilizer: organic and inorganic.Inorganic fertilizers contain ammonium nitrate and tend to act faster than organic fertilizer that contains manure, bone meal and other animal and plant ingredients. Choose a type of fertilizer and stick with it. Mixing fertilizers will give the lawn an uneven growth pattern. Examine the lawn to see if it's getting enough or too much. If grass grows too fast, then cut back. Finding a fertilizer balance is essential to having the perfect lawn.
Here's a quick review:
- More fertilizer means faster growth, which leads to more frequent mowing.
- There are organic and inorganic fertilizers.
- Organic fertilizer contains manure, bone meal and other animal and plant ingredients.
- Inorganic fertilizer contains ammonium nitrate.
- Mixing fertilizers will give the lawn an uneven growth pattern.
- If your grass is growing too fast, cut back on fertilizer.
Weeds and Pests
These are the scourge of the perfect lawn. Nothing ruins the look of a lawn more than weeds popping through the lush greenery or half eaten blades of grass. The best way to free your yard of weeds is the old fashioned way, which is to pull them out by hand.This may be tedious, but it's the most surefire way of getting all of the weeds. If the lawn is overrun with weeds, than purchase herbicide to take care of it, but also head out once or twice a week to pull any weeds the herbicide didn't get.
Insects and disease are a different problem. If the grass looks chewed or dead, despite all the care given to it, then take a sample of grass to a green house or master gardener to identify the problem. They will recommend the proper course of action.
Trying to treat an insect infestation or disease without knowing the cause can end up making the yard look worse than before.
Here's a quick review:
- The best way to deal with weeds is to remove them by hand.
- Use herbicide to take care of major weed infestation, and remove any remaining weeds by hand.
- Seek professional advice when dealing with pests or diseases that are affecting your grass.