How To Properly Care For Your Lawn?

It is tempting to think about lawn care as a simple task or two, such as keeping the grass watered so it doesn’t turn brown and cutting it at the right time to get a nice, even appearance. But in many parts of the world, there is much more to lawn care because of the potential for weed growth, unwanted plants such as dandelions and insect damage that can ruin even a well-kept lawn.

One of the key parts of proper lawn care is preparation, though many homeowners simply head out with a lawn mower and clippers, and perhaps some quickly chosen weed killer. But a few minutes spent planning what needs to be done, and deciding just how to do it, will give excellent results almost every time.

The first step in good lawn care is cleaning the lawn, getting all the dead leaves, sticks and other debris out of the grass. This alone can add to the appearance, even if the rest of your lawn care is minimal. Snow and the wet conditions of winter in the northern climates can keep a lawn from looking its best if the leaves aren’t removed so the moisture level in the soil can be reduced.

At this point, experts in the field of lawn care urge do-it-yourself property owners to make sure that low spots and holes are filled with good soil. Put some quality grass seed on these spots, being sure to carefully follow instructions that come with the seed and any other lawn products. A second step in this process is taking care of dead spots. Be sure you know what has caused the grass to die or start to change color. If it has been covered but isn’t completely gone, you may be able to get by with making sure it is clean and exposed to the air. It should grow back soon enough.

Bare spots and other damaged areas will need more attention. Some may have been caused by cutting the lawn too closely, especially if there is a high spot that the mower clipped too closely. Animals can also create dead spots when they go out to “do their business.” Too much fertilizer can cause serious lawn damage as well.

Some of the other steps in proper lawn care are: having soil tested or doing a soil test with some of the products available at hardware stores, lawn-care retailers and garden shops. Soil should also be relatively loose. It shouldn’t be compacted so tightly that it doesn’t take in moisture and dry naturally, as it should. Some homeowners pay particular attention to thatch that is too thick to allow the roots to get proper moisture.

From there, proper fertilization according to product guidelines is crucial. Careful cutting with a mower is, of course, the most common part of lawn care. But some thought should be given to the type of mower used. A large, heavy mower is not correct for a small, delicate lawn. A mower that is too small makes the cutting task take far too long. With a bit of planning and attention to detail, proper lawn care is something that almost anyone can do.

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