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Like most people, if you have a garden, you are likely to have an area of lawn. Grass is a great asset to any garden, but if you don’t look after it, your whole garden can end up looking dull and untidy.
Below are some lawn care tips that will help your lawn get off to a great start. If your lawn is suffering from bare or yellow patches, or is cluttered with weeds and moss then keep on reading.
Bare or Yellow Patches on the Lawn
Photo: Flickr / Nephatic Gren
First you should start with the yellow patches on your lawn. This can be caused by a couple different problems that are usually fixed rather easily:
Problem #1: You are cutting off too much grass when you mow the lawn. Cutting off more than the recommended amount, which is only one third of the grass blade at a time, is detrimental to your lawn’s health. Doing so causes your lawn to have an iron deficiency, which is why it turns yellow.
Solution: Solve this problem by spraying the affected area with an iron supplement to rejuvenate it. It is also recommended that you mow the lawn frequently, but at a higher blade setting so that you don’t cut the grass too short. Strapped for time? Hire someone to take care of your grass by using a lawn care service like us!
Problem #2: Another reason why your grass may have yellow patches is over-fertilizing the area. This scorches the grass to the point where it begins to fade and turns yellow.
Solution: If you think this has happened to your lawn, then wash the affected area with water to remove any residual fertilizer that may be causing more damage. Remember, any fertilizer you purchase off the shelf will have directions for use on the packaging. A good rule of thumb is to follow those directions exactly to avoid over fertilizing and scorching your lawn.
Aerate the Lawn
Photo: Flickr / John Benson
It is best to aerate your lawn in either late spring or early autumn. If your goal is a healthy lawn it is essential to aerate the soil, as this allows water and air to get to the roots of the grass through the small channels you make. This helps get all the nutrients into your grass to make it look so much better.
You can rent an aerator machine from your local equipment rental agency or home improvement store. If handling heavy machinery is something that you would rather avoid, ask your local lawn service to aerate your lawn for you.
Dethatching
Photo: Flickr / Matches2
Dethatching, or raking the lawn, is also another essential lawn care task if you want to combat moss growth. Simply rake through your grass to remove any debris or dead organic substances that will sit on top of the grass covering the soil. Leaving a build of debris prevents the soil being able to draw in nutrients and water to feed the grass.
Water the Lawn
Photo: Flickr / Robert Couse-Baker
To keep your lawn neat and tidy you may need to water your lawn. Although, if your lawn is already healthy enough you shouldn’t have to do this too often. A great way to do this is using sprinklers. It’s best to set your sprinklers to water your garden either in the morning or in the evening so the grass fully absorbs the water. If you find that you still have dull and dry grass, it could be another instance of resistance caused by soil compaction or too much debris between the crown of the blade and the soil. You should try aerating it or using a steel rake to dethatch it.
Mow Often but Long
Photo: Flickr / Chad Davis
The best lawn care mantra is simple – mow regularly (i.e. once a week) but maintain the grass a little longer for the perfect lawn! Mow when your lawn is dry to get a clean cut, and sharp blades will help too. Imagine getting a haircut with dull scissors, no thanks!
Of course, if all this sounds like too much to worry about, why not give us call. We can soon have your lawn looking fresh and lush – and you can just concentrate on enjoying it.
