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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How To Keep Grass Green Organically
One of the best ways to keep your grass green organically is by recycling grass clipping and leaves and composting them into the lawn.
When you mow your lawn, take the bag off, and mulch the grass and leaves in the turf.
These recycled ingredients create a nutrient rich compost as they decompose.
Here are a few tips for maintaining healthy and natural grass growth without using chemicals.
- Apply an organic lawn fertilizer.
- Add a thin layer of compost on top of your lawn to give it a quick nutrition boost. The best time to do this is throughout the spring and summer seasons.
- Manually remove weeds when you inspect and mow your lawn.
- Add corn gluten meal to kill weeds and fertilize your lawn naturally.
- Aerate your lawn regularly to help roots to spread and establish a more robust root system.
- Keep the amount of pet urine to a minimum on your lawn. The urea causes the grass to turn yellow and can kill the grass if not watered or treated.
- Dethatch your lawn periodically.
Use Corn Gluten Meal As A Natural Herbicide And Lawn Fertilizer
Corn gluten meal is used most frequently as a natural preemergent herbicide for turf grass and organic crops. However, it has the added benefit of fertilizing your soil. Corn Gluten Meal is a totally natural byproduct of the wet-milling process for corn . It will help control annual weeds in your lawn and will keep your grass fertilized. If you want to learn more about this great organic gardening product, please visit Dr. Nick Christians University of Iowa Corn Gluten research page.
8. Use Mycorrhizal Root Builder to improve your soil.
Mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial soil organisms that provide a sort of secondary root system for your garden plants and grass. They attach themselves to the roots and help plants and grass make better use of water and organic nutrients in the soil.
With a Mycorrhizal fungi root builder, you can get mycorrhizal fungi to work more efficiently. Mycor Root Builder is an excellent product that will work great on all the plants you grow, not just your turf grass. Like these eight easy steps? Dont forget to bookmark them or pin us on Pinterest!
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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.
When To Apply Fertilizer
The exact time of year depends on your grass and soil type, but generally speaking you want to apply fertilizer during the growing season. If you have cool season grasses, thats typically spring and fall. Warm season grasses typically grow fastest in late spring through early fall. If your grass is dormant, you dont want to fertilize unless its a specialty fertilizer that your lawn needs.
This also depends on what else is going on in your lawn. If you are planting new grass, you need starter fertilizer. If you have crabgrass problems, youll want to apply pre-emergent late winter before applying your first round of fertilizer.
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Spread Compost On Your Lawn
Compost is absolutely amazing stuff, especially if you are using your own recycled and homemade compost.
Compost is one of the best natural fertilizers you can find anywhere and when you spread it on your lawn it will give your lawn a boost for many months unlike when you use chemical fertilizer and the boost only lasts for weeks if you are lucky.
Applying compost to your lawn is actually a simple job but you do have to make sure it is completely decomposed before you spread it otherwise it may be really difficult to thinly spread it over your lawn.
When you are spreading compost as a fresh layer of topsoil on your lawn it is important that you spread it in as thin a layer as possible preferably no deeper than a ½ inch.
If you spread compost on your lawn and it is more than a ½ inch deep you definitely run the risk of your grass getting covered up and if that happens due to lack of light it may start to turn yellow and wither.
When you successfully spread your compost in a thin layer evenly over your lawn the nutrients will get absorbed back into the soil which is why compost is the best and most natural fertilizer you can use in your lawn care routine.
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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.
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Getting Your Christmas Lawn Ready In A Hurry
In a perfect world you have time to tend to your lawn and have it looking its best for Christmas when you need it to be.
But we all know life throws us curve balls and things arent always as well planned and organised as we would like. What can you do to get it looking great in a hurry?
Now first off, I think its important to note that its not a good idea to undertake the get green quick fix very often. A healthy lawn will be provided with a balanced amount of slow release nutrient in order for it grow healthy roots and become a thriving plant. If time permits, dont take short cuts.
But if it doesnt, then here are some tips for a quick improvement
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Water Your Lawn Deeply And Less Often
Turning your sprinkler on for just a few minutes a few times a week really wont do much to help your lawn. For a healthier lawn, learn to water your grass deeply and less often. If you water infrequently and deeply, the roots of your grass will start to grow deeper down into the soil. This helps your grass stay green during periods of drought or extremely hot weather. Experts recommend that you water your grass with 1 inch of water, once a week. This amount of course can vary depending on your local weather conditions, soil type, grass species, etc.
How do you know if youre watering your plants with 1 inch of water? You can use this simple test. Place a series of shallow containers throughout your lawn and turn your sprinklers on. Keep watering until you measure 1 inch of water in the majority of the containers.
This simple test will also help you determine if your sprinklers are watering your grass evenly. If the depth of the water in the containers varies widely, this may explain patches of drier grass in your yard. In this case youll need to adjust your sprinkler heads. Its also important that you dont over-water your grass.
Youll know when its time to water again when the first 3-4 inches of soil are dry to the touch. Use an electronic soil tester to test the soil moisture, or use a trowel or a screwdriver to open the soil and feel it with your finger. To help your grass retain even more water, you can use water absorbing polymers .
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Aerating Your Lawn Will Make It Greener
Aerating your lawn has so many benefits Im surprised there are actually some people who never do it, Im guessing they are not in a quest for lawn perfection like me and you.
Lawn aeration is the important task of putting lots of holes all over your lawn, however, depending on what equipment and method you use it can either be quick and easy or a long and hard job to complete.
There are many benefits to aerating your lawn from improving the drainage and allowing water easy access to the root system to making your lawn less compacted but the main benefit is that it actually damages your lawn and it is when the grass starts to repair itself the grass will naturally become greener and healthier.
The options you have for aerating your lawn are:
- Use a garden fork and stick holes all over your lawn.
- Wear a pair of aeration shoes and when you walk behind your mower you can aerate at the same time.
- Use a professional core aeration machine .
Whichever method you use you will see massive benefits to the health of your grass as this is one of the best ways to naturally improve the health of your lawn.
What Is The Secret To A Green Lawn
Why is nitrogen important for a green lawn? Grass cant grow without nitrogen. In fact, its the most important nutrient to support your lawn. Nitrogen works by encouraging new green growth above the soil line.
How do you restore a green lawn?
Gradually reduce the frequency of watering as the new lawn establishes itself. Mow about once a week to maintain grass thats a few inches long. Fertilize every four to five weeks through the fall. After the first year, fertilize your lawn once in the spring and again in the fall.
How do I get the perfect lawn?
How to Get a Perfect Green Lawn
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Avoid Creating Run Off
If water is starting to puddle or run off, its time to turn off or move the sprinkler to another spot. If it started to run off before you could give it a good soak, then turn the sprinkler off for 15-20 minutes to allow the water to soak in before turning it back on again. Hoselinks Oscillating Sprinkler can be beneficial in this scenario as the constant movement gives the soil a brief break in which to absorb the water before more is sprayed on. This type of sprinkler is also fully adjustable, allowing it to reach right across the lawn or concentrate on one small space. If in doubt, test it out! Its always better to trial watering methods to see what works best on your lawn.
Do You Want A Green Lawn Are You Looking For A Way To Increase The Health And Quality Of Your Lawn Without Huge Amounts Of Effort We Explore Ways In Which You Can Achieve A Healthy Green Lawn
For many gardeners having a green lawn is the ultimate goal. While theres nothing quite like an immaculate green lawn, your grass can be used in all manner of styles. From a highly formal garden, to a flower filled meadow, dotted with daisies, or even just a place to kick a ball. The beauty of a green lawn is that its soft and friendly, yet durable and hardwearing. It invites a mood of relaxation and acts as a constant foil for the more showy elements to star. So whats are the best tips for maintaining a green lawn?
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Water Deeply And Infrequently
In most parts of Texas, scorching temperatures and infrequent rainfall mean that your lawn can quickly become parched and dry. Adjust your watering schedule from the spring months to increase the amount of moisture delivered to your turf, based on the rainfall in your area and the condition of your grass. Have your irrigation system inspected, if you havent already, to ensure all parts are in working order and you dont have any leaks or broken sprinkler heads.
Keep a closer eye on your lawn so you can proactively water any dry spots, as needed, especially on the warmest days. You may want to try hand watering in particularly hot areas, such as near sidewalks. Youll need to water newer, less established grass and plants more frequently. Apply water to your landscape so that moisture goes all the way down into your grasss root systems, which is usually around 6 inches deep. This usually translates into one to two inches of watering once or twice a week. Resist the urge to overwater, since that can make your plants more vulnerable to pest damage and disease and your landscape can become more dependent on more water. Have someone check on your yard if you head out of town for summer trips.
Water More But Less Often
Quick watering sessions multiple times per week only waters the top layer of grassthe water does not have time to penetrate to the roots where its really needed. This causes weak grass that withers at the first sign of heat! Water less often, but water for longer sessions. This gives the water time to really go deep, all the way to the roots. Strong roots equal strong grass!
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Should I Put Sugar On My Lawn
Sugar often gets used as a quick fix for brown and struggling lawns. The theory is that sugar will help the grass turn green by providing an energy boost. Sugar benefits your growing turf. But it is vital to use it sparingly.
Sugar is a form of carbon, and too much carbon can lead to thatch buildup and encourage disease. In addition, sugar can attract pests like ants. If you decide to use sugar on your lawn, follow the instructions carefully. And only use the recommended amount!
A little sugar can go a long way, and too much can do more harm than good.
A similar natural food source is molasses. Molasses helps stimulate the microbial populations in your soil. It is a great, natural boost for all types of plants, crops, and your lawn.
What Causes An Unhealthy Lawn
Despite the obvious benefits of a healthy lawn, many people dont know how to maintain their lawns, which can cause them to turn yellow or brown. Here are some of the most common mistakes that can affect the vibrancy of your lawn and limit its growth:
- You mow your lawn too low.The ideal mowing height varies during different seasons but during the spring you should mow it to 6 cm and 8 cm in the summer.
- You are treating your lawn at the wrong time of year. There are specific times of the year that suit specific landscaping jobs, so make sure youre in season to avoid damaging your lawn.
- Another common issue is overwatering. There is an optimal amount of water that you want your lawn to absorb. When watering your grass, give it 2.5 cm of water per week .
- If your lawn isnt thriving, you could be over treating it. Using too much lawn fertilizer or pesticide can damage your grass. Make sure you always follow the directions and recommended amount of the product.
- Your grasss health is largely dictated by the soil used so if you have poor quality soil you will have poor quality grass. You need a high quality soil to get a greener grass.
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When Can The Lawn Be Walked On After Reseeding
Lawns are still very fragile shortly after seeding and need resting time. The first shoots are very tender and should not be damaged by stepping on them. Therefore, wait long enough before stepping on the lawn.
After about 2 to 4 weeks you can carefully walk on the lawn.
You can walk on the lawn when it is about 2 long. From 4 you can mow the lawn. However, the first time you mow the lawn, you should not cut it shorter than 3. From the second mowing, cutting to 2 is okay. In fact, the lawn is only fully loadable after a whole year.
