Opt for a slow-release organic fertilizer and apply it to the outer edges of your lawn, then cover the center, overlapping each pass by a few centimeters. You may need to mow your lawn more often afterwards, as you're adding nutrients at a time of rapid growth. You can fill in large bare spots by re-seeding. Get the right type of seed to match your lawn.
It is usually best to choose high-quality seeds, even if it costs a little more. Avoid any seed that contains more than. Plant according to manufacturer's instructions. The turf soil compacts over time, resulting in weak or dying grass.
Aerate the soil with a garden fork or manual lawn aerator. The holes left behind allow the soil to breathe and allow water and nutrients to reach the roots of the lawn. For a larger area, you may want to rent a gas-powered push aerator. It's a good idea to mark sprinkler lines or electrical cables first so they don't cut in the process.
Once the grass starts to grow, give the lawn at least 1 water per week. But remember that cold air dries out plants and lawns a lot. Proper mowing habits play a fundamental role in the success of a lawn. Having a sharp cutting blade provides a clean cut and leaves the lawn looking well-groomed.
Cutting at the optimal height encourages deep rooting and shades the soil surface to reduce weed germination. Although the cutting height may vary depending on the type of grass, a cutting height of 2.5 to 3.0 is best. When mowing lawns, the ideal is to remove one-third of the leaf tissue or less. If you're mowing at 3.0 when your lawn reaches 4.0, it's time to mow your lawn.
In addition, clippings are best left after mowing the lawn, as this recycles nutrients and adds organic matter to the soil. Another turf secret that professionals know is that when and how you mow your lawn can make a big difference in how your lawn looks. Be sure to position the lawnmower in the highest position for the type of grass you are growing. For cold-season grasses, that's about 2½ to 3½ inches.
However, some warm-season herbs work best when cut a little shorter. For more information on this, see our How to Mow Your Lawn article. Deep irrigation helps develop deep roots that enter underground water supplies (illustration below). Light sprays moisten only the lawn and soil surface, encouraging shallow root growth and increasing the need for more frequent watering.
Lawns generally require 1 to 2 inches. Water per week from you or Mother Nature, applied at intervals of three or four days. But this varies dramatically depending on temperature, type of grass, and soil conditions. Lawns in sandy soils may need twice as much water, as they drain quickly.
Lawns in slow-draining clay soils may need only half as much. Poorly watered lawns receive short daily waterings that promote shallow root growth. Oscillating sprinklers launch water in a high arc, so it evaporates further before reaching the ground. Water your lawn better with these 10 simple tips.
After all, it's much easier to maintain a good looking lawn by controlling weeds than trying to rescue a lawn that has already been overcome by them.
