Customize Your Grass For Performance
For new properties and areas where the lawn needs a complete overhaul, its possible to customize the type of grass for optimal performance. There are many different grass varieties that are popular for lawns. Some, like Bermuda grass and Kentucky bluegrass, dont require as much maintenance.
Grass varieties also perform differently depending on your regions specific climate and rainfall amounts. Be sure to choose the right grass for your climate zone. A lawn professional can help you with customized recommendations for a new lawn.
How Do I Get My Lawn To Look Like A Carpet
The removal of thatch, coupled with the puncture holes from the aeration process, will allow new seeds to grow well and give your lawn a full, lush appearance. Golf courses utilise this technique, which is how they get the grass to look like a carpet. Once you reseed, apply a high-quality fertilizer within 48 hours.
Tip No : Aerate Your Lawn To Help It Breathe
Grass roots need oxygen as well as water and nutrients. Aerating the process of removing small plugs of soil produces multiple benefits. It improves air-to-soil interaction. It allows water and fertilizer to penetrate the soil deeper and easier. It reduces soil compaction and opens space for roots to grow. It removes some thatch and stimulates the breakdown of the remaining thatch. The best tool for this task is a gas-powered aerator, available at most rental centers.
Again, timing is critical. You can aerate in the spring. But fall, after the kids are through trampling the grass and there are fewer weed seeds to set up home in the open spaces, is the optimal time to aerate. Its usually best to aerate first, then apply any weed killers so the open holes are protected against weeds.
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A well-aerated lawn provides space for grass roots to grow, reproduce and take in more oxygen, moisture and nutrients. The plugs, composed of thatch and soil, quickly break apart and decompose. The roots of a compacted lawn have difficulty absorbing air, water and nutrients.
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Now that you have a beautiful lawn, check out these tips for landscaping your backyard.
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Water Your Lawn Regularly
Water is the most essential factor of a lush lawn. Its definitely a basic but thats not to say its importance isnt often forgotten. When things get busy in the warmer months, or you go on vacation, regular watering of your lawn may go undone. But lawns require one to two inches of water each week and even more when its hot, due to increased evaporation.
If its a period of drought, that means physically getting out there and watering the lawn with sprinklers if you dont have an irrigation system. Your lawn care company should remind you of the importance of regular watering if they suspect that is why your lawn is not as green as it could be.
Dont Overwater During Dry Spells
Even though brown blades suggest otherwise the root of the grass can actually stay alive for months. Understandably, if you want to ensure a green lawn all summer try to water heavily on an infrequent basis. The aim is to encourage the roots to grow deep into the ground and the best way to achieve this is to water deep. If the soil is hard below the roots then they are restricted while the moisture further down will work its way up to dryer soil at the top.
Light sprinklings of water only feed the surface of the soil and the grass, which in turn promotes shallow root growth. In this instance the lawn will require more frequent watering.
Lawns that are on light sandy soil will drain more quickly so may need more water than lawns growing on heavier clay soils. However, as a general rule provide 2.5-5cm of water per week . However, this does vary depending on the following factors: temperature, grass type, and soil condition. In terms of timing, first thing in the morning is the best time to water your lawn.
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Lawns Need Air To Breathe
Lawns need oxygen as well as water, so its important to keep your lawn aerated. Aeration involves perforating the soil at intervals to alleviate compaction, allowing water, air and nutrients to penetrate deep below the surface. The easiest and cheapest method is to push a garden fork into the ground at 15cm intervals over the entire lawn, although for large areas it may be easier to hire a machine to do the hard work so you dont have to. An aerated lawn will also be better at absorbing water rather than letting it run off.
Stop Crabgrass In Its Tracks
Crabgrass germinates when the soil temperature reaches about 56 degrees F, which happens in mid-April in many regions. Wait until your soil reaches this mark for a few consecutive days, then apply a pre-emergent herbicide (or use corn gluten if you prefer a natural product, available at Bradfield Organics. Crabgrass doesn’t grow well in the shade, so you don’t need to add chemicals in well-shaded parts of your yard.
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Add Containers For Instant Color
Pots and planters filled with bright and fragrant flowers are just some of the container gardening ideas that can lift the look of your country garden in an instant.
Use pots on our deck, along the edges of paths or steps, and even dot them among your borders to fill bare patches.
Bulbs are important for pops of colour in the border throughout seasons, says Alex Hollingsworth from Dig. Bulbs for spring, autumn and winter mean that you can change it up each season and each year. Just be wary of animals eating them, particularly squirrels! To avoid this, you can place gravel within the soil above the bulb and this will deter them.
How To Get A Thicker Lawn And Keep It
Thicker, lusher, healthier and more beautiful. If those words describe your lawn goals, success may be closer than you think. Transforming thin, lackluster grass into a thicker, healthier lawn isn’t difficult to achieve. With three easy stepsor one simple, three-in-one lawn boostyou can get a thicker lawn and put thin grass behind you. Then add three best practices to keep a thicker lawn, and you’ll enjoy a lawn that looks and feels great for years to come.
How to Get a Thicker Lawn:
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Simple Secrets To A Great Lawn Without Using Chemicals & Sprays
Believe it or not, there are a few key secret tips to having a great looking lawn all without ever needing to reach for a single chemical or spray!
Contrary to popular belief, you dont need massive applications of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to have a beautiful lawn. Not only are they costly, they also can be quite dangerous for children, adults, pets, and the environment.
A pesticide free lawn is a worry-free lawn! With chickens, bees and pets all around, we never have to worry what they might be getting from the grass.
The U.S. National Wildlife Federation reports that on average, suburban lawns receive 10 times as much chemical pesticide per acre as farmland. Thats right, 10 times as much!
That works out to 70 million tons of fertilizers and pesticides applied annually to residential lawns and gardens. But the reality is, you simply dont need them to have an incredible, healthy lawn! Here is a look at 7 simple secrets to a great, chemical-free lawn:
Water The Lawn Properly
While it may be tempting to give your lawn a quick watering every day, any pro will tell you that a better plan is to water deeply and less frequently. Giving the grass a good long soak is another way to encourage roots to grow deeply into the soil, which strengthens the lawn and helps it survive during times of drought. When the grass has started to look a little grayish and the blades dont bounce back when you walk on them, its time to water. Run the sprinkler until you can easily push a ¼ inch diameter dowel or plant stake about 12 inches into the ground. You dont want the soil to be so saturated that if you squeeze a handful, it drips, but you do want the soil to be a little sticky.
Its worth noting, too, that grass uses less water in the spring and late fall than during the summer. In the spring you might only need to water once per week, while in the summer you might need to water 3 times per week. Of course, if you receive a long, soaking rain, theres no need to water that day. For more information on watering, read our Lawn Watering Tips.
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Tips On Making Artificial Turf Look More Natural
Following the maintenance recommended by your installer helps your lawn keep the hues and textures it came with.
- Clean it: Hosing down an artificial lawn rids the blades of small pieces of debris and dust that might accumulate. A little spritz with a hose restores the color quickly. You can also rake larger leaves or pieces of debris that arent easily shifted with a hose or broom.
- Fluff it: Synthetic lawns can be brushed, which also helps clear away dust and dirt accumulation. Brushing the lawn surface also lifts the blades back up, creating a fuller and lusher look to your space. This can restore parts of your lawn that have been flattened by frequent use. Your installer will most likely recommend tools for easy lawn fluffing.
- Choose a UV-ray-protected turf: In warmer climates, direct sunlight and high temperatures can prematurely fade your synthetic grass. Choose a lawn that has been treated to prevent sun fade if you live in a sunny area.
- Install a weed barrier: A weed barrier is placed below the turf layer to prevent weeds from pushing up underneath the lawn. Weed barriers shouldnt be used in spots that need drainage, such as pet areas.
- Use a power broom:
Cut With A Rear Roller Mower
Not all lawn mowers are designed to create a striped lawn. Choose a lawn mower with an integrated rear roller. If you mow in parallel lines, the rear roller will bend the grass blades back to achieve the stripe effect. First, set your mower to the highest height setting and mow around the edges of the lawn at right angles, so the grass is cut right to the edge of the lawn. Use a trimmer like this Worx WG163 GT 3.0 20V PowerShare 12″ Cordless String Trimmer & Edger for awkward or hard-to-reach spots.
Next, create stripes by lining your mower up in the direction you want your first row before mowing to the end. Turn 180 degrees and repeat until you reach the end of the lawn.
TIP: Dont cut the grass too short as your stripes wont be prominent. Striping relies on the grass blades lying flat, so the longer the blades, the better results.
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Grow A Garden Instead
Ditch the lawn completely and grow a garden instead!
You can grow vegetables, herbs and fruits in your front yard and make it look beautiful too! Incorporate vegetables and herbs into an existing garden bed for an easy transition.
Go all out and turn your entire front yard into a flourishing vegetable garden. Urban front-yard vegetable gardens are becoming very popular. They are a great alternative to a mono crop like grass and you get food too!
Plus, gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes!
Many HOAs dont allow edible gardens in front yards, but you can work edible plants into your landscape. If you have an urban vegetable garden in your front yard, please share how you did it in the comments!
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Artificial Turf Options That Mimic Natural Grass
Color and texture choices can make all the difference for homeowners who love the look of natural grass. They go the extra mile to make their artificial turf look natural.
First, two-toned turf more closely matches the variations in natural grass. Many artificial turf styles involve green tones that fade to brown lower down. Then, selecting turf color that approximates types of natural grass growing in your areaparticularly on the lawns nearbyalso conveys a more natural feel. This sophisticated dying technique tricks viewers into thinking they are looking at real grass.
The artificial turf material you select, too, can make a big difference. Synthetic lawns are commonly made from polyethylene, polyurethane, and nylon blends. A combination of these materials gives a synthetic lawn different textures that closely mimic the surfaces of natural grass.
Finally, if you are installing your own turf, make sure the pile of each piece is facing the same direction. There is a natural bend to the blades of artificial grass in each section, and facing them the same way creates a rolling and uniform look rather than a thatched appearance.
Tip No : Adjust Your Cutting Height To The Time Of Year
The best height to cut grass depends on the type of grass, the region and the time of year. For cool-climate grasses, use a 1-1/2 in. cutting height for the first mowing of the year to remove dead grass and allow more sunlight to reach the crowns of the grass plants. Raise the blade during the heat of summer to two inches or more. Then lower the blade back to 1-1/2 in. for the last cutting of the year. For warm-climate grasses, these heights will be about 1/2 in. lower.
When adjusting your blade height, measure from a hard surface to the bottom of the mower deck, then add 1/4 in. Most blades sit 1/4 in. above the bottom of the deck.
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How To Make Your Centipede Lawn Look Better Than Your Neighbors
El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.
Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.
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First, a little information about centipede grass. Centipede tolerates infrequent mowing, little fertilizer, acidic soils, and partial shade. These characteristics are why centipede is so commonly used as a utility grass in the coastal plains.
Centipede does NOT tolerate much foot traffic, compacted soils, high soil pH, high phosphorus, excessive thatching, drought, flooding, and heavy shade. Each of these problems will have to be corrected before the centipede can improve. Chronic problems may mean replanting with a better-adapted grass species bermuda for disease and wear issues and st. augustine for shade issues.
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Gardening Calendar for February
Caring For A New Lawn
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Weedkillers And Fertilisers: Timing Is Everything
There are a number of things to take into account when applying gardening products to your lawn. These are mainly location, weed type, condition of the soil, and grass type. If you need to know more check our guides for identifying weeds and using weedkillers.
Firstly, a healthy lawn is the best defence against garden weeds. So, youre halfway there if youve followed our guidelines so far. Next it is advised to attack weeds in the early spring or summer when the weeds have not yet had the chance to develop deep root systems or spread. Be very careful if applying weedkillers, and check you have one suitable for use on your lawn and the type of weed you have in it. If it is not specifically designed for lawns then it may kill your grass too!
When applying fertiliser, do it in early spring to encourage root growth. For autumn months apply a specific autumn lawn fertiliser to help the lawn recover from Summer wear and prepare itself for a potentially harsh winter. Giving light feeds throughout the year helps maintain a healthily growing lawn. Furthermore, as always, read the labels fully and take note of requirements and warnings.
Remember, its not necessarily how hard you work. Actually, its less about time than timing. The art is more ‘how’ and ‘when’ to achieve a perfect lawn.
