Top 4 Things To Know About Lawn Care

With a little TLC, the grass can always be greener in your front yard. Although there are challenges when it comes to creating the perfect lawn, simple steps can make a difference in the appearance and health of your grass. For example, when choosing grass seed, select a variety carried by your local garden center.

Mowing doesn't just make grass look neat and tidy, it's also important to a lawn's health. When mowing, remove no more than one-third of the length of the grass at one time, as overcutting leaves grass susceptible to insects and disease. Longer grass provides shade for soil and minimizes water loss. Mow the lawn with sharp mower blades, as dull ones result in damaged, ragged grass.

A weed-covered, slow-growing and discolored lawn is likely lacking in nutrients and in need of fertilizer. Many nutrients grass require occur naturally in soil, but extra doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are necessary, according to the University of California at Davis. Use a fertilizer appropriate to your lawn's particular variety of grass and water thoroughly the day before applying. Afterward, hose down the lawn just enough to flush fertilizer deep into the soil, where it's needed most.

A beautiful lawn requires water but not too much, as excessive watering leads to thatch, a tangled mess of roots between the grass and ground. Instead of wasteful daily watering, give the lawn a drink only when needed. To tell if the grass is thirsty, look for a bluish tinge or footprints that remain embedded -- both are signs of dehydration. Give the lawn roughly an inch of water; MSNBC recommends placing a tuna can on the ground and watering until it's full.

Over time, foot traffic and other factors may result in compacted soil just beneath the lawn's surface. Not only does this inhibit grass growth and water absorption, it creates prime conditions for weeds. 
Aeration breaks up compacted lawns by removing plugs of soil or creating pores in the soil. The process can be carried out with a hand-held device or a machine rented from a specialty store.

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