Knowing how to make the lawn greener can be the difference between a tired, ugly lawn and a mesmerizing arena fit for the Garden of Eden. Most people forget that maintaining your lawn well is as much about the health of your lawn as it is about mowing it regularly. Otherwise, while your lawn may appear more even, the color of the lawn can quickly fade and ruin the look.
You need to know more than How to plant weed seeds To make the lawn greener, the good news is that small changes can make a big difference to the tone of your garden. Whether you’re an avid gardener or just starting out, everyone can follow these tips. Here, we will take you through what you need to do to make your garden look luscious again.
How to make the grass greener
What will you need
soil test kit
Fertilizer
water
spade (optional)
mower
Grass seeds (optional)
aerator
1. Get to know your lawn. First of all, not all grass is the same. Just like plants, there are all kinds of cultivars that can be found in different regions. Each has its own preferences in terms of nutrients, exposure to sunlight, and even altitude. Know what kind of lawn you have before anything else; This will help you understand what you need to be greener.
Generally, you’ll find cool season grasses in the northern states of the United States while warm season grasses can be found in the south. This should help you create a shortlist of capabilities. If you’re still not sure, ask your local gardening store for guidance.
2. Test your soil. The next step is to know the characteristics of your soil. This, along with your type of lawn, can help you determine what is missing for optimal growth. Soil test kits are widely available, we recommend the Luster Leaf 1602 Soil Test Kit ($15.99 at Amazon).
The ideal soil will ultimately depend on your type of lawn, but as a general rule you want a slightly acidic pH of 6 to 7, as well as an abundance of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Keep in mind that cool season grasses prefer a slightly higher pH than warm season grasses. You should aim to test your soil annually to make sure the minerals are adequate.
3. Manure crushing. Now that you know what’s missing, you can buy the best fertilizer for your garden. Most fertilizers contain nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous, but ingredients and proportions vary to suit different needs. This means that when you choose your compost, look for one that will balance your mineral levels. Some fertilizers also feature beneficial additives such as iron supplements to encourage green growth, while others contain herbicides.
When you should fertilize depends on your type of lawn. If you have a cool season lawn, look to fertilizing in early spring and fall. Whereas, you should use compost on warm season lawns more often throughout the summer. Be sure to follow the instructions on your fertilizer for dosage and application. Too much compost can cause damage and leave burn marks, so be careful.
There are natural alternatives available as well if you don’t want to use chemicals in your garden. Spreading a thin layer of compost on the lawn in early spring can add valuable nutrition to the soil, for example. You can also buy organic fertilizers.
4. Regular watering of the lawn – You should water your garden regularly, especially during the summer heat. Your lawn will need about an inch of water per week for extension and you’ll need to do this first thing in the morning so the sun doesn’t evaporate from your efforts. Set up your irrigation system on a schedule to accommodate this and take advantage of the rain when you can save water.
If you have planted fresh herb seeds, you will need to pay extra attention when it comes to watering. The ground should be kept moist at first, watered once or twice daily and then less regularly once the grass reaches 1-2 inches in height.
5. Make the most of your mower – Mowing is important to keep the lawn looking flat and healthy, but be careful not to over mow. Long-rooted leaves will protect the roots from sun damage and can encourage root growth as well. The height to be cut depends on the type of lawn. Cool season grasses prefer short, while warm season grasses should be tall. Try not to cut more than a third of the grass in total. It sounds crazy, but the optimum height will encourage green growth.
It is also important to check the condition of the mower blades. These things will naturally become dull over time and end up tearing the lawn instead of cutting it. The jagged tops of the leaves can then turn brown or white, and combined with the messy finish will ruin the look of your garden. Sharpen your blades as necessary or replace them for a fresh start.
6. Stay above weeds – Don’t let weeds get in the way of achieving a greener neighborhood yard. Dig up any weeds as they appear with a spade – just be sure to pull out the roots. If you prefer not to get your hands dirty, you can also treat individual weeds with a dedicated herbicide that can be found at most garden stores. Choose one that is appropriate for the type of weed and be sure to wear adequate protection.
If weeds are a real problem and they keep coming back, you can also switch to a compost that contains herbicides to deter them. If you don’t want to use chemicals in your garden, but still have a weed problem, corn gluten meal is a natural alternative that kills and fertilizes weeds.
7. Fill in any gaps – If you’re learning how to get rid of moles, or if your garden has a few brown spots, you don’t have to worry. You can easily fill in any gaps with fresh grass seed. First, make sure your seed matches the lawn in your garden. Next, remove any dead grass from the spot you intend to fill and up to the top inch of soil. You can now spread the weed seeds by hand, cover them with a thin layer of soil and water regularly.
You can alternatively bypass your entire garden if it looks a little tired. After cutting the existing lawn, spread a thin (an inch) layer of soil over your garden using a shovel. You’ll then be ready to sew fresh grass seed with a spray machine—make sure it’s evenly distributed. Once the seeds have set off, they can be fertilized and watered. You can also cover the seeds with mulch or compost to help protect them from the elements.
8. Soil aeration – Finally, you have to aerate your soil a lot if you want green grass. Over time, with large amounts of fall, the soil in your garden will compact. This makes it difficult for any roots to get in the oxygen and water, causing the lawn to be stressed. By aerating the soil, your garden will be able to breathe better and will thrive as a result.
You should use an aerator to aerate your garden, but when and how often depends on the type of lawn seed. Cool season grass should be aerated in early spring or fall, while warm season grass is best aerated in late spring or early summer. Aerate once a year if your garden is struggling or experiencing a spike in traffic. If your garden is fairly lively, once every 2-3 years is enough.
You can buy or rent aerators, and drive them along like mowers. You will be amazed at the difference this can make.
If you follow these tips, your garden will soon be mirrored by your neighbors and will be green with envy. Just remember that ongoing maintenance is key to keeping your lawn healthy, so repeat the above steps for ongoing results.
For more planting tips, tricks, and methods, check out our guides on how and when to plant sunflower seeds, how to grow potatoes and how to grow tomatoes in pots. You’ll also want to read how to prune hydrangea plants, how to care for orchids, and how to care for air plants.
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