What Causes Your Lawns Color To Fade
To understand how to keep your lawn green, it helps to first understand what causes grass to lose its green color in the first place.
In some climates, the weather can go from one extreme to another relatively quickly. It might be cool and wet in the spring, then hot and dry mere weeks later. These changes can cause the ground to dry out quickly and leads to lawns starting to turn brown.
Hot and dry weather combined with other factors will cause your lawn to lose its healthy, green appearance. Here are just some of the things that can result in grass losing its color:
Remove Moss And Scarify
Moss likes to grow in bald patches of the lawn and can quickly take over. While some gardeners like a bit of moss, if you are looking for the perfect green lawn, it has to go. Use moss killer first, and then remove it from the lawn.Scarifying the lawn will also help to remove thatch which may cause problems later on in the year. Once you have removed moss, you should overseed to fill in the gap to discourage further growth.
How Much Is Too Much
Adequate nitrogen is crucial for lush, healthy, green grass. However, there can be too much of a good thing. The general rule of thumb is this: you should apply no more than one pound of nitrogen for every thousand square feet of lawn, and you should do so no more than twice per year .
So, say youre using a fertilizer with 5% nitrogen, you should use 20 pounds maximum.
What to do when youve applied too much?
Many of us have experienced a phenomenon called fertilizer burn, where we used too much fertilizer and our grass ends up with yellow and brown stripes, or patches of dying or dead grass.
Fortunately, there are things we can do to correct this:
- Leach excess fertilizer. Use a sprinkler head and a garden hose to fully saturate the overfertilized area. The water will drain through the soil, bringing the fertilizer with it. Apply about an inch of water and repeat this every day for a week.
- Remove dead grass. Use a rake to remove the fertilizer-burned areas, add to a compost pile or trash can.
- Plant new grass seed. When spring arrives, plant new grass seeds.
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Never Water With Hot Water
Its not a good idea for the health of your hose to leave water lying in it. Water that does get left can get quite warm, even hot enough to scold the blades of grass. Always ensure you empty your hose after each use, but if you forget, make sure you flush the hot water away before commencing watering.
So, there you have it, no rocket science and no secrets, just simple straightforward tips to keep your lawn looking great throughout the summer months. Try taking before and after pictures of your lawn so that you can look back at the difference these tips have made. If you have any tips of your own please feel free to share them in the comments.
Happy gardening!
What Do I Need To Do To The Lawn In Autumn
It is important to keep on top of lawn care in the autumn months and one helpful tip is to remove the build up of dead grass or thatch using a metal tined rake. The removal of this thatch will reinvigorate the grass minimising the risk of fungal disease in warm, damp autumns.
Aerating the lawn is an equally important aspect of lawn care which you can do using a hollow tiner to push down into the lawn about 6cm. Then repeat this action moving backwards at 15cm intervals over the entire lawn. Creating these slots will enable air to get in, relieving compaction and improving drainage
Areas of bare lawn can be top dressed with old potting compost mixed with grass seed. Brush this in with a stiff birch besom or other broom so that some of the seed is worked into the soil surface.
You can also apply an autumn feed to give the lawn a boost going into winter. Unlike spring fertilisers, which are high in nitrogen, autumn fertilisers are high in potash to encourage root growth rather than leafy growth.
Fallen leaves need removing from the lawn surface or they can suffocate the grass beneath. Instead of raking up fallen leaves, try raising the height on your rotary mower and use it to suck them up. The collected mixture of chopped leaves and grass clippings will be great for the compost heap.
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Lawn-care calendar
SPRING
l Start mowing with blades set as high as possible, lowering them to a summer height of 1¼in .
l Treat moss. Rake it out or use lawn moss-killer products in March or April, depending on the weather. Between late April and the end of May apply a spring-and-summer or slow-release lawn feed. Use a combined lawn feed and weed product if necessary.
SUMMER
l Mow the lawn once or twice weekly depending on the growth rate use a grass box.
l Raise the cutting height of the blades by a half an inch in hot, dry weather. Avoid feeding lawns in dry conditions, although regular liquid/soluble feeds will maintain the colour if the soil is thoroughly moist.
AUTUMN
l Wait until after a spell of wet weather to start your annual maintenance tasks.
l Cut the grass twice in opposite directions, then rake well to remove creeping stems, dead stalks, moss etc by hand using a manual or mechanical lawn rake.
l Apply autumn lawn feed followed by a thin dressing of soil or bags of turf dressing worked in with the back of a rake.
WINTER
l Continue mowing whenever the weather permits with the mower blades set as high as they will go. Dont mow when the grass is soggy or youll be left with ruts that setin summer.
Choose The Right Grass Seed For Your Lawn
A great lawn can only be grown from the best seeds. To find a top-quality mix, look for an NTEP rated variety which means it has been independently evaluated and certified by National Turf Evaluation Program . The price of grass seed is small when compared to what you will invest in time building your perfect green carpet so buy wisely.
These seeds have more resistant to disease and insects. And continue growing even if attacked by pests or diseases. While also being able to withstand periods without water more than usual due to drought conditions.
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How To Keep Grass Green Naturally
Want to support your lush green grass, but do so without chemicals? Here are a few tips for supporting healthy and natural grass growth:
- Apply a thin layer of compost on top of your lawn at the beginning of spring to give it a quick nutrition boost. This can also be done again throughout the spring and summer seasons, just be sure to avoid making too thick a layer.
- Manually remove weeds as you spot them as theyll compete for any available sunlight, moisture, and nutrients and will ultimately impact the greenery you want.
- If you want something a little easier, but still natural, you can add corn gluten meal to naturally kill weeds and also fertilize your lawn.
- Minimize the amount of pet urine that ends up in your lawn. Over time, it can cause the grass to turn yellow and even die. Make a designated toilet spot for your dog.
- Regularlyaerate your lawn and remove compacted areas or any build-up of thatch.
Greener Grass Step : Fertilizing Using The Best Fertilizers
If you truly want the best results from your lawn, we do recommend investing in a quality fertilizer, such as Milorganite. You should also be sure which type of lawn you have, as this will affect how often you need to fertilize your lawn.
You should carry out a soil test to see what kind of nutrients are present. This will ensure the fertilizers include a balanced amount of nutrients, and in the quantities they state on the package.
There are also some products available to deal with weeds simultaneously, to find the best weed and feed available, see our post here.
With the best fertilizers, you also run a lower risk of doing harm to your lawn and staining your sidewalk.
Is Organic Better?
Organic fertilizers tend to work better as a long-term solution, and its more environmentally friendly. Theyre the slow-release type, but they usually have more complete nutrients for your lawn.
They build up your lawn in a natural way, without the risks of staining your lawn or sidewalk. They do also contain nitrogen, so theyre not ideal if you dont want your grass to grow so fast.
Synthetic high-iron fertilizers are fast-releasing and affordable. Epsom salts can be used on your lawn to add magnesium and sulfur.If youre not careful with the amounts of synthetic fertilizer you apply on the grass, though, it may turn your lawn a grayish hue and your concrete driveway orange. You should carry out a soil test fairly regularly, to keep tabs on the state of things.
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Scotts Lawn Builder Extreme Green Liquid Lawn Fertiliser
A beautifully green lawn is just a spray away with Scotts Lawn Builder Extreme Green. With the easy to use hose-onformula, your lawn quickly absorbs the fertiliser to give a richer, greener lawn colour in just a few days.
FEATURES
- Easy to apply, Extreme Green Liquid is readily absorbed by grass leaves and roots
- The nitrogen content is highly soluble and quickly absorbed to provide a rapid greening response. Perfect for when you want the lawn looking great for a special occasion.
- It goes to work immediately and is effective whether it is absorbed through leaves/blades of grasses or roots
- The 1L Easy Sprayer bottle with a fast hose-on application is perfect for small to medium-sized lawns, covering up to 180 m2
- Extreme Green is phosphorus-free, which means it can be safely used anywhere in Australia without posing any risk to ground or surface water
- Children and pets can safely re-enter lawn areas after application
SUITABLE FOR
- All lawn grasses including all varieties of buffalo, couch, Santa Ana couch, kikuyu, bent, fescues and carpet grass
- All grass substitutes such as dichondra , lippia, zoysia
NOT SUITABLE FOR
HOW IT WORKS
- Unlike most liquid fertilisers which are readily washed off plants, Extreme Green binds to leaves, stems and soil particles and will not wash off once dry
- Easily absorbed, soluble nitrogen results in rapid greening within days of application
TECHNICAL DETAILS
NPK 22 : 0 : 6
How To Turn Brown Grass Green Fast
Are you disappointed with the situation of your lawn? But dont worry about this how to turn brown grass green fast. First of all, examine the situation of your lawn, grass is fully or partially turn to brown grass.
If your lawn is full of brown grass then you need little bit extra efforts to turn it to green grass.
Otherwise, it is possible that your lawn partially turns to brown grass then you need some specific guidelines to turn the brown grass quickly.
Before going to the deep guidelines of turning the brown grass to green, I want to answer some short and important frequently asked questions .
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How Fast Can Your Lawn Go From Brownish Yellow To Green
What is meant by fast? What do you think? Overnight? A week? A month?
Many homeowners we’ve seen struggle to improve their lawn’s appearance for an entire season and still don’t get the results they are after. Why is that? Well, they just don’t know how so they will go to their local big box store’s garden center, look over the miriad of products on the shelves for grass, ask employees that may or may not know the answers to their questions, and then take a stab at the problem.
They might read the bag labels, which will give them some information, but is it enough?
If you really must do this, go to your local garden center where the employees are usually more knowlegable. However, now, because you’re reading this article, you don’t even need to do that.
Follow our advice and you’ll get that green lawn fast.
What Is Green Speed
First, what is green speed?
Green speed is the measurement of how fast a green is. When bowling on a slow green the bowler would have to exert extra force to get the bowl to finish at the same point as it would on a fast green.
The term fast and slow is a bit mis-leading as the bowl doesnt roll faster on a fast green, it simply doesnt slow down as quickly as it would on a slower green.
Another term for a slow green is heavy. To me this seems a more accurate description of how it feels to bowl on these slow rinks.
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Apply Liquid Nitrogen + Iron
Four-seven days out from your lawn party, apply a liquid iron . This is the most important step to obtain that dark green lawn that we all strive for. This is your secret weapon!
Apply this product with a backpack sprayer or other type of sprayer to ensure even coverage. Spray later in the evening to allow the iron to stay on the grass blades overnight. You can then run your irrigation cycle the following day after the iron has had plenty of time to penetrate the grass blades.
The best options will be from the new Kelp4Less lawn care products line. Youll deliver not just Nitrogen and Iron, but many other beneficial minerals and micronutrients for your turf.
- Green Balance AND Micro Greens
- Heavy Hitter
- Use coupon code lanwphix for 15% off and free shipping
For pre-mixed solutions, Ferromec AC is a good choice. If youre a purist and wants a true chelated iron product, Iron Max AC 6-0-0 is a great option. You can apply up to 8 ounces per 1,000 sq. ft. of Ferromec AC so this large container is a decent options for larger lawns. If you have a smaller area and want to use iron this one time only, then LawnStar makes a fine chelate iron that will cover up to 4,000 sq. ft. as does Southern AG which covers up to 2,000 sq. ft.
Keeping Your Grass Green During The Summer Months
Americans are wild about their lawns. Every year, they mow turf areas equivalent to the size of Pennsylvania and spend $8.5 billion on lawn care. However, even if you spend the average of 40 hours per year mowing and caring for your lawn, its possible to see your turf turn an unattractive shade of brown once the summer heat hits.
Actually, as landscaping contractors can tell you, a brown lawn is completely natural. The fescues and Kentucky bluegrass varieties that grow well in Northern climates naturally go dormant over the summer months. This is a self-protection strategy grasses enter a state of hibernation to preserve energy. Once the cooler temperatures and higher precipitation of autumn returns, your brown lawn will return to a beautiful shade of green.
Lawn maintenance is one of the most common services landscaping contractors provide. To enjoy an emerald green lawn all summer long, you can hire one of many West Linn lawn care companies, who can help you with everything from scheduled maintenance to the installation of home irrigation systems. Alternatively, DIY-types can keep their lawns green by practicing the following techniques:
Mow high. Put your lawn mower on a high setting, to leave the grass around 3 inches high. Taller blades provide more shade for your lawns root system, which keeps it cooler during hot summer days. Additionally, taller blades of grass result in deeper, stronger roots.
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Aerate And Overseed Your Lawn When Needed
Water and nutrients need to reach lawn roots in order to lead to thicker and greener grass. Over time, lawns can become compact, whether its from traffic or harsh weather, limiting this easy access of water and nutrients.
The solution is annual aeration. This practice breaks up the soil and enables the lawn to breath. Also, those small holes aeration creates can provide the perfect access for overseeding in thin, bare areas. Aeration and overseeding are key elements that shouldnt be forgotten on the journey to greener, thicker grass.
Lawn Bowls Timing Ramp
You will need a timing ramp to measure the speed of a green. Each timing ramp consists of the ramp itself – to comply with the official standard it must be of the same height and angle to ensure the force on the bowl is consistent.
A ramp also comes with the ball. This ball is un-biased, so it wont curve like a standard lawn bowl. It must be the same weight in each test. The consistency of the weight of the bowl and the height and angle of the ramp means the force the ball is delivered by the ramp is consistent, and a standard measurement can be made.
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Edge Your Landscape And Walkways
Two weeks out from your lawn party, define your edges if you have not yet done so. Depending on how much you need to edge, you may need an electric lawn edger to get you started. If its a smaller area, then saw tooth edging tool or a square blade will work.
If you have been edging, continue to use your string trimmer to keep those edges looking tight, and clean those clippings with your leaf blower.
