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.
What Makes Grass Green
The green color of grass comes from chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a pigment found in grass which use sunlight to transform water and carbon dioxide into nutrients the grass needs to survive.
The transformation process is called photosynthesis, and you know your lawn is performing this vital task properly when your grass is a deep shade of green.
In healthy grass, the chlorophyll pigment naturally absorbs wavelengths in both blue light and red but reflects light in green. This reflection is what makes grass appear green.
In lawns in poor condition, especially those lacking iron in the soil, chlorophyll production slows down, which causes yellowing, or completely ceases, and your grass dies.
Variety Of Green Shades
Not all grass varieties reflect the same shade of green. Some are much more bright and vibrant or rich and deep in tone than others.
For a lawn with gorgeous green color, consider planting or overseeding with these grass varieties:
- Kentucky bluegrass
- Broadleaf herbicide
- Sprinkler or hose
For green grass fast, fertilizer and iron supplements are the way to go. Be aware that overdoing fertilizer can also kill your grass, so take care to provide only the amount your lawn needs to rejuvenate its color and health.
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Apply a high-nitrogen, all-purpose fertilizer in early spring as grass shows signs of new growth. The fertilizer should include phosphorus for robust root development, and potassium for strong cells within the grass-blade walls.
Why Do You Need To Feed Your Plants With Plantic All In One Liquid Plant Food
Ordinary soil is not perfect for all types of plants because every plant has different needs. To complete their requirements, you need to enrich the soil with the needed essentials according to the plant type. Thanks to Plantic All in One plant food- it is formulated with all nutrients needed for rapid rooting, growth, greening, and blooming. It also works with hydroponic plants. So, this time you only need this one fertilizer to keep your garden refresh with greens.
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Mow Your Lawn Correctly
Mowing is a seemingly simple task that you probably think you cant get wrong. But your mowing habits can have a big impact on your lawns performance. Mowing properly can lead to thicker grass.
One of the largest mistakes people make is mowing their grass too short. Mowing too short can put unnecessary stress on your lawn. This can cause a dull green or yellow color, which you dont want. It can also increase the likelihood for weeds — additional headaches you dont need.;
The goal is to cut no more than one-third of your grass blades at any one time. Ideal mowing timing is weekly and ideal mowing height is in between 3.5 and 4 inches, depending on your lawn type. Your mower blades should be sharpened to ensure a clean cut.;;
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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A Final Note On Over Fertilizing
When it comes to applying fertilizer to your lawn, less can be more. Be sure to follow the instructions, and also consult your local turfgrass extension on what your lawn actually needs.
Too much fertilizer and youll get what is known as nitrogen burn. If you see large patches of yellow in your lawn , chances are youve over-fertilized. Theres no way to fix this other than to wait, and youve weakened the grass. So follow the instructions, wait the allotted time between applications, and be patient.
Green grass doesnt come in the first application. But when fertilized routinely, grass will be stronger, greener and thicker than ever before.
Faq Fertilizers For New Lawn
How can I make my lawn greener and thicker? Providing adequate amounts of water and nutrients for the grass is enough to make it become greener and thicker. Also, keeping people off the lawn will make it look firmer, fuller, and greener.
How long does it take for a lawn to turn green after applying fertilizer? Experts opine that it takes about 24 hours or more for fertilizer applied to the lawn to start having effects.
Can I over-fertilize my lawn? Yes, its possible to over fertilize the lawn.
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How To Apply Iron Lawn Supplements
The best time to apply iron to your lawn is in the spring, when temperatures are in the 60s to 70s F. Avoid spraying or applying iron during hot weather. Follow package instructions exactly, to prevent overdosing.
Grasses dont require a lot of iron, and its generally not needed unless your soil test indicates an iron deficiency. If your lawn is yellow, first make sure its getting enough water and regular nutrients before trying iron supplements.
How To Select Grass
Beyond selecting a grass that will grow well giving your climatic conditions, there are some other things to consider like pH, fertility, soil moisture, and environmental stresses.;
Some grasses will be more shade tolerant than others , while others are better at forming sod . Additionally, some grasses are better suited for very specific activitieslike bentgrass being used for a putting green or a croquet court.;
When to plant grass can be found in our gardening guide!
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How To Make Grass Grow Green And Healthy
This brings us to our next consideration: when and how often to water grass for optimal greenery?
The advice that were about to give you should be taken as just that, advice. One of the best things that you can do for your lawn is to get to know it.;
Take some time observing how it looks each day, in the morning and in the evening. Try to become aware of all of the different elements that affect it and how these fluctuate throughout the day. The better understanding you have of your lawn and your specific microclimate, the better youll be able to take care of it.;
Then, you can consider the following :
- Watering in the morning is the best because temperatures are cooler and winds are normally calmer.; If possible, water before 10 a.m. so that all of the moisture can be absorbed before the heat of the day kicks in and evaporates all the water away.
- If you have no option but to water in the evening, try to do so before nightfall .
- When watering, you want the top six to eight inches of soil to be wetwhich equates to around one inch of water per week. This can be done as a single watering or two waterings this every week.
Final Thoughts On How To Make Your Lawn Green
If this seems like a lotdont stress it. Were here to help. Feel free to give us a call at any time to talk about how to make your neighbors green with envy because of a lawn thats just as green! Also, if you have any other tried and tested tips for supporting healthy grass, let us know in the comments!
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Best Time To Water Grass In Texas: Other Considerations
As we have discussed previously, the early morning is the best time to water your yard. Water pressure tends to be good, moisture is applied more evenly to your plants and grass and there is less evaporation when compared to the middle of the day. In addition, watering at night can make your grass more susceptible to pest damage and disease. Homeowners find that outdoor areas do better during the summer months if they are watered only a few times a week, with longer watering cycles. The cycle-soak method to split up watering into more, shorter sessions, can reduce run-off and provide the deep watering that Texas lawns need.
Even if your mowing, watering and fertilizing are working in perfect harmony, there are other things that could prevent your lawn from being bright and green. A few other factors to consider in proper lawn maintenance include thatch management, aeration and your landscape design.
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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Pro Strategies For Thicker Greener Grass
For many Central and Southern Maryland homeowners, a green grass shows they care for and have pride in their properties.;
In summers heat, its especially important to do all of the things all year long that contribute to a lawns health. Because, as the pros know, you cant do just one thing to nurture a thick lawn. A mix of the right strategies is necessary when it comes to how to make grass greener.
Do I Need To Feed For A Green Lawn
For the best chance of getting a lush, green lawn, apply a spring feed just as the grass is starting to grow in March. The fertiliser should contain nitrogen, which encourages strong healthy growth, as well as potassium, potash and trace elements.;Many brands are available, mostly as resin coated granules, which are easy to apply. The granule coat breaks down gradually, providing the lawn with a constant supply of nutrients without the risk of burning or scorching.
One application should be enough to see the lawn through to the autumn. If during the summer, however, your lawn shows signs of slight yellowing or a loss of vigour, then an application of an organic liquid fertiliser based on seaweed can be applied. You can read more on our expert tips for preparing your lawn for summer here.
Along with grass, weeds will also be growing quickly during periods of sunny, warm weather. Individual weeds can be dealt with easily by an application of a selective weed killer or alternatively removed using a narrow trowel.;If using liquid chemicals diluted with water be sure to apply at the recommended dose and always read the label.;In essence, apply early in the morning on a calm and moist day. After six weeks, a repeat application may be necessary, particularly for established weeds or those with a creeping habit such as clover.;Remember to wash the watering can thoroughly or better still have two cans and use one only for chemical application.
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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.
The Importance Of A Professional Diagnosis
While these are some of the most common answers to the question, Why is my lawn not dark green?,this is not a complete list. Plus, its important to recognize that not only do the symptoms of these problems mimic one another, but you may have more than one problem occurring at once.
Thats why proper diagnosis is so critical. Without the proper diagnosis of the problem, you wont be able to begin an effective solution. Plus, you could make the problem worse. For instance, if you think your lawn is experiencing drought stress and you start watering a lot more, but it turns out it was actually a fungus, you could make the problem significantly worse. Fungal diseases thrive and spread in wet conditions.
If youre concerned about your lawns color, the best course of action is to call in a professional. After a thorough inspection, they can diagnose your problem and get you on the right path toward fixing it.
At Joshua Tree, we have helped many homeowners with these same frustrations. Whether it was a do-it-yourselfer, someone who was working with another lawn care company, or even someone who hadnt taken any steps at all, weve answered lots of questions aboutwhy is my lawn not green? If you find yourself asking the same thing, then we want to be available to help. After all, you ought to be able to get answers to your questions so that you can get your lawn back on track to looking its best.
Ready to get started?
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Why Is It Important To Fertilize Your Lawn
Fertilizer is essentially food for your lawn. Just like any other living organism, grass needs food and water in order to grow
Grass gets its food from the soil, but after awhile, the grass eats up all of the nutrients there are in the soil. By fertilizing your lawn, you putting soil back into the ground for grass. A fertilized lawn is noticably different than one that isnt. Its greener and more full of grass with fewer bare patches. It also grows faster. If you dont fertilize your lawn, weeds will eventually overtake the grass, and youll have to completely resod your lawn if if gets too
In addition to fertilizing your lawn, you should also recycle grass clippings into the lawn when mowing using a mulching blade. The clippings will decompose and provide some amounts of natural fertilizer to your lawn.
Simple Lawn Solutions Advanced 16
Simple Lawn Solutions makes this all-grass blend that is one of our top picks for the best fertilizer for both plants and lawns. The formula contains seaweed and fish as part of the recipe, has all three major nutrients , and provides instant release fertilization.
If you want to avoid fertilizers with phosphorus, then this aint the product for you. However, if you are looking for a superior fertilizer with all three nutrients and want excellent absorption into your lawn, this is one of my favorite lawn food formulas. I like to put this down and then apply a half-dose of granules a couple of weeks later to overlap the benefits.
Simply Lawn Solutions is great for warm-season and cool-season grasses alike, including Bermuda, St. Augustine, Zoysia, Buffalo, Centipede, Florida Palmetto, Bahia, Fescue, Ryegrass & Kentucky Bluegrass.
- Spray liquid fertilizer
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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.
