How to Achieve a Healthy Lawn

How to Achieve a Healthy Lawn

Your front lawn is often one of the first things people will notice about your new home. How you care for it tells strangers how you care for your home and how much effort you put into its appearance. 

However, lawn care goes past mowing and pulling weeds. There are multiple factors you have to consider to create a healthy lawn.

Here are some tips that can get you started.

Take Care of Your Lawn Care Tools

First and foremost, make sure you take care of the tools you’ll be using on your lawn throughout the year. Daily maintenance can keep them working well for longer, and it’ll also keep your lawn healthier.

For example, a sharp and balanced mower blade cuts grass evenly. If it’s dull, your mower tears the grass and damages it. Damaged grass is more susceptible to disease and requires more water to grow. 

Cut Your Lawn Appropriate to the Weather

Grass isn’t meant to be cut the same exact length year-round. For example,  grasses in cooler climates don’t need to be cut as short as grasses in warmer climates, because the extra length will allow them to get more sunlight. 
 

You can use a 1-1/2 in. cutting height for the first and last cutting of the year and use two inches or more during the summer. 

Choose the Right Grass

Not all types of grass are made the same. Even if you prefer the look and feel of a particular type, it may not grow as well as a different type of grass. Putting in the wrong kind can make your green lawn care routine more involved and expensive.
 

Kentucky bluegrass is a great option for the cooler months and works with a wide variety of uses. Alternatively, St. Augustine works best in moist, coastal areas with hotter weather.

Annual Aeration

Aeration refers to perforating your lawn’s soil with small holes to give the soil room to breathe. Preferably, you’d do this at the beginning of spring or summer when the weather begins to warm up. Cool grasses may also benefit from aeration done in the fall. 

Instead of going into your yard and poking random holes in it, reach out to your local lawn care specialists to perform the service.

Utilize Clippings

One way to keep a healthy lawn is to use the clippings from mowing your lawn, rather than tossing them out. Spread them out evenly once you’ve finished to provide extra shade and nutrition.
 

However, don’t do this if your lawn is currently suffering from a disease or if you have wet clippings. Wet clippings clump and diseased clippings will only spread the condition.

Get a Healthy Lawn Today

Regular lawn maintenance is an essential part of keeping your home looking new. While maintaining a healthy lawn takes some work, it doesn’t need to be a drain on your resources. It just takes diligence and attention. 

If you need help restoring your lawn or maintaining its healthy appearance, give us a call.