Grass Fertilizing

by JT Miller

Growing a healthy lawn is not impossible, but it does require some effort. Many homeowners take great pride in having a lush green yard. It is often challenging to grow a healthy lawn during the hotter months. Below are some tricks to guide you grow a great lawn this summer:

Quantity of water: Different kinds of grass seed need different amounts of water to grow. Many homeowners don’t give their grass enough water through the course of a seven day period. You need to use enough water to wet into the dirt below the grass but not enough to cause water to flood through your grass.

Soil quality: Different soils will provide different nutrients for your lawn and will retain moisture at different rates. Most gardening centers sell kits that test your dirt and then make suggestions about specific grass maintenance tips. Remember that your growing experience and the steps you’ll have to take to get your yard looking good will largely depend upon your soil.

Fertilizing matters: Once you have a soil test done you will want to find and use a fertilizer that fits your particular situation and the type of lawn you want to grow. There are lots of different types of fertilizers, but you will probably want to stick with one that’s natural if you’re going to have children or small animals playing on it regular. Most people remember to spread fertilizer in the spring, but there are also specially designed mixes that are only supposed to be used in the fall when your grass is preparing to go dormant for the winter. Fall fertilization helps strengthen roots and prepare your lawn for colder weather.

Using a sprinkler: Most landscape professionals agree that the early morning is the optimum time to use a sprinkler on your grass. You will often want to use a sprinkler for 30 to 40 minutes per day, depending on the rainfall you have had during the week. Sprinklers should evenly distribute the water over a wide area of your grass without saturating any single spot. Obviously, a sprinkler should be used on dry days and should not be turned on during days with rain or 2 days after a heavy downpour. The weather predicted for the week could also help you decide when to plant grass seed.

Mowing: Just as you should to use your sprinkler in the morning, you should also mow your grass during the coolest time of the day. Replacing your mower blades twice a summer will make sure that your lawn is cut evenly. A lot of people do not realize that cutting your grass can keep it green. Lawns should be kept at least 2.5 to 3.5 inches high to prevent it from turning brown and looking ragged.

With a little effort your lawn can stay thick and healthy all summer long. You’ll enjoy your yard all the more if you take a few moments each day to take care of it properly. Remember, it only takes one hot spell to turn your grass brown, so be vigilant and you will keep your yard green!

Looking for more lawn and garden articles? Learn all about planting grass and how to maintain a thick, healthy lawn all season long!