June 26, 2012

How to Keep a Thick and Green Lawn

The envy of just about every homeowner in just about any neighborhood is the homeowner who boasts the thickest and greenest lawn on the block. Not only does a thick lawn with a deep green color make you the envy of your neighborhood but it also gives your home great curbside appeal with an aesthetically pleasing landscape. If you want to be the envy of your neighborhood, check out these tips for keeping and maintaining a thick and green lawn.

Right Amount of Water

If you want a thick, green lawn in the middle of summer, it’s important to realize that a lawn does not require frequent watering. Rather it is better for your lawn if you water it deeply and less frequently and preferably at dawn before the sun comes up. How long and how often you have to water your lawn to keep it green and healthy will depend on your region. A good average for most regions is one inch of water 2-3 times a week. If you don’t know how long you have to water your lawn to achieve an inch of water across the lawn simply leave an empty glass somewhere on your lawn while watering it and see how much has collected when you turn the water off. In any event, the reason you want to water your lawn deeply is because it encourages deep root growth which is what you want for a healthy lawn.

Fertilizer

Another important factor for keeping your lawn green is fertilizer. The most effective fertilizing schedule seems to be a seasonal schedule since the needs of your lawn will vary and change as the seasons change. If you don’t want to fertilize your lawn that often, it’s most important to fertilize your lawn at least in the fall prior to the cold winter months. When the temperature starts to get cold, your grass growth will slow and eventually stop but the roots are still growing under the soil. The fall is the perfect time to feed those roots and get them ready for the spring and summer months ahead.

When it comes to fertilizer, it’s best to use organic fertilizer if it’s at all possible. Organic fertilizer doesn’t contain any chemicals that can harm your lawn (and the soil underneath it) and make it vulnerable to disease and insects. In addition, organic fertilizers also seep into your soil and are slow to break down making them ideal for most lawns. Furthermore, most nationally advertised fertilizers are very high in nitrogen which is also a no-no. Nitrogen is essential for a green lawn but too much nitrogen (more than 10% in your fertilizer) can make your grass grow fast but also weak. And just keep in mind, the more nitrogen you add to your lawn, the more often you’ll be cutting it!

When it comes to fertilizer, you definitely don’t want to overdo it but you also don’t want to under fertilize as well. Over fertilizing is just as unhealthy for your lawn as under fertilizing. At most you should probably be fertilizing your lawn no more than once every season. If the fertilizer you’re using isn’t making your lawn green enough, you may also want to treat your lawn with some iron. Iron won’t feed your lawn and keep it green for an extended period of time but it will definitely green your lawn temporarily.

Proper Mowing

Finally, it’s best to keep your lawn mower at its highest setting. It’s a fact that taller grass is healthy grass. Not only does taller grass shade out weeds and make it harder for weeds to grow but it also keeps the soil underneath it cooler and that means it stays moist longer which is great for your root system.

For more landscaping tips and to find a great landscaper to take care of your lawn make sure to visit: http://www.handycanadian.com.

Blogmaster


Phil Goold is a retired landscaper of 30 years. He loves being outside more than anything else, except maybe pie. He enjoys connecting with other landscapers and gardeners because everyone brings something new and fun to the table. Connect with Phil on Twitter and Google+.

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