What is There Not to Love About Your Lawn? – Homeowners’ Guide to a Healthy Lawn
A healthy lawn doesn’t just make your house look better, it’s also easier to maintain and can save you money in the long run by avoiding extra chemical treatment and pests. However, a healthy and beautiful lawn requires attention and dedication.
Easy steps to a healthy lawn
Here are five easy steps to help you get started on turning your lawn into a healthy lawn that requires little maintenance and will always look good.
Step 1: Test For pH
The pH of your soil plays an important role in your lawn’s health. To test for pH, mix one tablespoon of vinegar with one cup of water. If you see bubbles or fizzing, then you have an alkaline (basic) soil. If there are no signs of reaction, then your soil is acidic. Adjusting your pH level may take some time but will be well worth it when you see how healthy and beautiful your lawn becomes!
Step 2: Fertilize as Needed
When your lawn grows, so do its needs. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a complete fertilizer and adjust according to soil test recommendations. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can leave you with a dense thatch layer of grass at ground level. Also, avoid under-fertilizing, as it will slow growth or stop it altogether.
Step 3: Aerate Once a Year
Aerating your lawn once each year allows air, water, and nutrients to reach deeper into your lawn’s root system. This also allows for soil microbes and beneficial organisms such as earthworms and arthropods that reside deep in healthy soils, making them more accessible to your lawn’s roots. Getting these essential elements into your lawn’s root system not only helps build strong roots, but it also enhances nutrient uptake from fertilizer applications.
Step 4: Water Correctly
To have a healthy lawn, be sure to water your lawn correctly. Overwatering can cause drowning of your grass and bacteria from decaying plants and clogged pores, which leads to diseases in your lawn, but underwatering will leave your lawn susceptible for pathogens like insects and fungus. We recommend using an irrigation system for a high level of security. Irrigation systems are also beneficial if you find yourself unable to water regularly as they help keep moisture within your soil for longer periods of time than hand watering does.
Step 5: Mow and Reuse
One of the most common mistakes home owners make when maintaining their lawns is setting their mower height too high. When you mow your lawn, set your mower to 3/4 or less. This will reduce stress on your grass and keep it green, lush, and healthy! After you are done, do not throw your yard waste away. Save time and money by reusing these trimmings for things like composting and mulching. And what you don’t use can be recycled through programs in your area. If your town doesn’t provide curbside pickup, consider creating your own compost bin or pile.
Lawn Care Specialists
The art of keeping your lawn as healthy as possible can be somewhat time-consuming, but it’s totally worth it in order to keep your grass from turning brown and becoming a hotbed for bacteria. Contact Secure Lawn for all of your lawn maintenance needs. We do everything from grass cutting to weed control and mowing! Our professional lawn care services will ensure that your yard stays as healthy as possible throughout each season. Talk with one of our representatives today about getting started with comprehensive lawn services from Secure Lawn! Call us at 615-893-8455.
