- A lawn can look beautiful with the proper maintenance.hose on lawn image by Coralie Palmeri from Fotolia.com
The lawn is one of the major attractions to a home. Homes with lawns are always appreciated, especially the ones that are obviously cared for. Lawns play a major part in our ecosystem, and must therefore be given attention. There are some things you must consider when taking care of your lawn. - Watering the lawn is essential for nourishment. You must determine two factors in applying water to the lawn: when to water and how much water must be applied. The irrigation schedule may vary as climate and soil types hold moisture differently.
The best way to determine when to water the lawn is to observe the lawn. When the grass starts to wilt or loses its color, it is time to water your lawn. Grass may also turn a yellowish color when receiving too much water.
The quantity of water you apply is important. Water has to reach the roots of the grass, which are between 4 and 6 inches below the surface of the soil. Plant-Care recommends that 1 or 2 inches of water is applied once a week. To determine how long the water needs to run, place cans or cups around the lawn. Calculate the amount of time that it took for 1 inch of water to gather in the cup. This time is how long the sprinklers need to run. Watering twice a week will deliver 2 inches of water to the grass roots each week. - You must apply fertilizer to the lawn to help sustain the grass growth. Fertilizers have nutrients that aid in the growth and health of the grass. When choosing fertilizer for the lawn, you must consider the following things: the current nutrition of the lawn, the budget for the fertilizer, and personal preferences such as liquid, organic or synthetic. A simple pH tester (available at most nurseries) can determine the current nutrition level in a lawn.
Lawns that need nutrients will appear thin, patchy, discolored and weak. According to Plant-Care, if the lawn is in need of nutrients, consider a fertilizer that is full of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus--major elements needed for a lawn to flourish. Different types of fertilizers are available. Granular fertilizer is slow-releasing and requires fewer applications throughout the year. Liquid fertilizer comes in a concentrated form and is applied with a garden hose. Synthetic fertilizers are chemical-based. This type of fertilizer can easily burn the grass if it is not applied according to the manufacturer's directions. Organic fertilizers are made with organisms that were once living and their by-products. Most lawns flourish by applying fertilizer once a year; however, applying fertilizer two to four times a year should allow the lawn to grow abundantly. - Aerating is the process of punching holes into the lawn to allow air and moisture to penetrate the soil. This process is important to allow lawns to breathe. Over time, lawns become compacted, allowing only little or no space for oxygen to penetrate the soil and grass roots. According to Lawn Care, aerating can be performed more than once a year, and is best performed during the spring and fall seasons. You can employ the services of professional aerators or rent core aerators from rental shops.
next post