Proper lawn care is an important skill to learn, especially if you weren’t born with a green thumb. Your lawn is one of the first things people notice when passing by or arriving at your home, so it should represent you and your design aesthetic.
Here we’ll talk about some ways to keep your lawn looking its best, all year round.
Don’t Let Your Lawn Starve
You need to keep your lawn well-nourished at all times — both with water and with nutrients. Doing so will create healthy, green, and thick grass.
Sprinklers should run at night, especially in South Georgia, where heat can evaporate moisture so quickly. Water in the evening to make sure the water has time to penetrate down to the roots.
Consider fertilizer to promote new leaf growth and to keep your grass lush and rich. A quarterly fertilizer schedule works well, and means your root system will always have enough ‘juice’ to keep going.
Do Your Best To Keep Weeds From Growing
Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to prevent weeds from growing in your yard — but that doesn’t mean you should ignore weeds. There are plenty of weed killers out there to help you get rid of those pests, and keeping an eye out and catching them early is important.
Some of the most popular weed killers include: Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer, Roundup Extended Control Weed, and Grass Killer Plus Weed Preventer.
Do Not Cut The Grass Too Short
Cutting your grass too short is a big no-no. Doing this will stunt the growth of your grass — and it makes for a sparse yard. Short grass will be unable to produce the energy needed to grow, and doesn’t protect the root system. When you cut your grass the proper length, it will grow stronger. Aim for at least 4-6 inches of green.
In Georgia, that means you’ll be cutting your grass weekly during the growth season.
Save Grass Clippings
Believe it or not grass clippings are good for your lawn. Grass clippings act as a fertilizer for your lawn as they decompose.
Note: These clippings should be small — 1/2″ to 1″ in legnth. Any longer and you will end up with wet spots and you’ll smother your lawn.
Aerate Your Lawn When Needed
Aerating a yard is a necessary evil. It can be a pain, but it allows water, air and other nutrients to freely flow into the roots of the grass, allowing them to grow stronger and faster. It’s a complicated procedure though, and it’s very much keyed to your soil type and grass choice. Take a look at this article on soil aeration to understand the basics.
Don’t forget your lawn as you design your ideal home. A beautiful fence surrounding a lush lawn can be the perfect finish to your dream home.
