Now that we’re just about at the end of the lawn care season for the year – except for fall cleanup and winter prep – here are some tips that can help you get your grass ready for winter, plus ideas to help you have a great lawn next year.
Do you want a landscape that is greener? Practicing some easy lawn maintenance, such as cleanup of garden beds and mowing – can be some of the greatest things that can be done to your landscape to get the look you want.
Mow the Grass Higher: A mistake commonly made is mowing lawns too short. By doing this your lawn’s growth can be slowed and brown patches may appear. Instead, your mower blade should be set at 2 ½ – 3 inches. This setting on the mower is usually the highest.
Only Water Enough: Your lawn might be getting too much water. Depending on the season and your climate it needs watering only a few times out of the week. A rule to stick by, each week your lawn needs water in the amount of only one inch. If sections start to wilt or turn brown on your lawn, increase water amount. Ensure there are no nozzles plugged and heads turn if have an irrigation system by watching it. If heads are not properly working, adjust or replace them.
Note: If you live in an area where watering is restricted in the summer, brown grass doesn’t mean it’s dying. Grass is very resilient and will usually come back nicely when it’s watered again.
Don’t Waste Your Grass Clippings: Clippings act as fertilizer and mulch for your lawn, so have the mower mulch them or leave them. Doing this returns approximately ½ of the nitrogen needed by your lawn when grass clippings are used as your lawn’s mulch for a season.
Water Before Sunrise: Almost like the dew that is naturally on the lawn, water is soaked up by the lawn’s roots when watered early. If for some reason you are unable to water early, timed sprinklers work great.
Soil Needs to be Aired Out: To let oxygen flow under the ground, put several small holes throughout your yard. With these holes, roots receive nutrients and water better. Aerating needs to be done only one time a year. Rent or buy a core aerator; this makes soil plugs that are 2-3 inches long. Overseeding and aerating together helps keep weeds away and your lawn will be thicker.
Spread Around Epsom Salt: Using epsom salt means no additional chemicals and your lawn will be greener. Epsom salt adds sulfur and magnesium to your soil. Mix together two tablespoons epsom salt and one gallon water and evenly spread it on the lawn, and then normally water to soak it into your grass.
Test Further: Although not mandatory, it is helpful to test your soil for pH and nutrient deficiencies, and then fix any issues.
Architectural Landscape Design can assist you in making your lawn everything you want it to be. And if caring for your lawn is taking up more time than you’d like it to, we’ve got lots of low-maintenance landscaping solutions for you. Check out our Pinterest board and then give us a call for a free initial in-home consultation. We’re scheduling appointments now to get the design process going so when spring comes we can start on installation work. Imagine a care-free yard next year!