Introduction
If you have a lawn, you probably know that it's important to keep it healthy and green. But do you really understand how to do that? Lawns need water, fertilizer, and sunlight. They also need less frequent mowing than most people think—and no mowing at all in some cases! Here are some tips on growing a healthy lawn:
Mowing for dummies guide.
- Don't mow often.
- Mow high and only when the grass is dry.
- Use a sharp blade to cut the grass, so it doesn't tear or shred as you go.
- Don't mow wet grass, this can cause disease and damage your mower's motor. It's also better for the environment because it reduces runoff into streams and rivers (which means less fertilizer ends up there). And finally, don't mow when it's too hot or cold outside--your lawn will be healthier if you wait until temperatures are above 55ºF (13ºC) before doing any work on it! Click Here to learn more about the best time to mow your lawn
Water your lawn less.
The best way to water your lawn is with a soaker hose. A soaker hose is made of PVC and has many small holes, allowing the water to slowly spread out over a wide area. Using this type of hose will save you time and money because it will be less expensive than buying multiple sprinklers and installing them around your yard. You'll also get better results when using one because it allows you to apply just as much water as needed without wasting any excess on areas that don't need it (like walkways).
If possible, try watering in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler--this will allow for better absorption into the ground before nightfall sets in. If this isn't possible due to other commitments during those times, then try watering earlier rather than later in order not to disrupt activities like mowing or raking leaves later on!
Remove thatch with a rake.
Thatch can be helpful in the winter but also cause problems for your grass in other seasons. Here's what you need to know about thatch:
- What is thatch? It's a layer of dead plant material--usually from the previous season's growth--that builds up in the topsoil over time. It forms when grass blades break down and decompose more slowly than they should, trapping water under them instead of allowing drainage through the soil profile. As this water turns anaerobic (without oxygen), some fungi will begin breaking down organics; these fungi produce carbon dioxide as part of their metabolic process and thus add carbon dioxide back into air pockets within your lawn's root zone.
Deeply aerate if you have thin grass.
If you have thin grass, it's time to consider deep aeration. Aerating is the process of removing plugs from the soil with an aerator tool like the plugger pictured above. It's not just for golf courses anymore! This will help break up compacted soil and improve drainage in addition to opening up space for water and nutrients that can help your lawn grow thicker.
If you're wondering how often you should do this, I would recommend doing it once every year or two (depending on how often you mow). It's also important not to overdo it; if you use an electric corer instead of a manual one like this one from GreenWorks (160$), then make sure not too much dirt gets removed from around each hole--you want them big enough so air can get down there but small enough that they don't fill themselves back in as quickly as possible (which would defeat their purpose).
Using the right fertilizer and when to do it.
Another key to growing a healthy lawn is fertilizing. Fertilizers can help your grass grow thicker and more lush, but choosing the right fertilizer for your lawn's needs is important.
- Fall is the best time for fertilizing because it gives the nutrients time to soak into the soil before winter arrives. When choosing a fertilizer, look for one that has high levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which are essential nutrients for healthy grass growth.*
- Fertilizing in the fall is a great way to ensure that your lawn gets the nutrients it needs. Fall is also when grasses go dormant, so they won't be absorbing nutrients from fertilizer as they do in spring. Springtime fertilizer application can lead to the burning and browning of grass blades.
- For best results, apply a balanced fertilizer at least four weeks before temperatures drop below 50ºF (10ºC).
You don't need to mow as much or as often.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is mowing too much. Mowing your lawn too often will cause the grass to become stressed and die, which leads to scalping or dead spots in your lawn. This is because when you mow a healthy lawn, you remove about one-third of its height. If you do this too often, then you'll be removing more than one-third from each time you mow--and eventually, there won't be any grass left!
On the other hand, if you don't cut enough off each time and let your grass grow tall enough so that it feels rough underfoot when walking on it barefooted, then this can also cause problems: The longer blades tend not only to make it harder for rainwater penetration but also attract insects like ants because they provide shade from direct sunlight while still letting water pass through easily enough."