October 12, 2024

Lawn Care 101 – A Beginner’s Guide

One of the many things new homeowners struggle with is the upkeep of the outer space. The front yard is an essential apart of the house. It is what people notice first about your dwelling. Some may even judge you by it. A lawn care routine helps keep your lawn looking prim and attractive.

The question is, where do you even start. If you were blessed with an already maintained lawn you won’t need to do much to keep it in top shape. If, however, you weren’t so lucky then the prospect of doing all the hard work may seem daunting. Worry not, we discuss the basics of lawn care in three easy steps.

Fertilize

One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of garden care is regular watering, and lots of sun. The two can only do so much if the soil you are planting in does not have the required nutrients. Without nutrition, the grass will grow thin and the plants will be lackluster.

Choosing and applying fertilizer is a chore of its own. A quick search will reveal tens of different types of fertilizers. Before you buy fertilizer, check the pH level of your soil. If the pH value is high, select an acidic fertilizer. If, on the other hand, the pH level is low, a lime fertilizer will serve the soil better.

Seed

Once your soil is primed and ready to accept new plants, it is time to seed. Depending on the condition of the lawn, you may have to layer the entire area with seeds with just small patches. Your lawn will generally have some grass to begin with. Focus on the empty patches and seed them thoroughly.

To enhance the effectiveness of the seeds, create small holes in the soil at even intervals. Not only will these holes carry oxygen and water to the grass roots, they are also great for putting in new grass seeds. This process is called aerating. Aeration on damp soil is easier and should be done twice a year.

Trim

The trick to maintaining a healthy lawn is to put the lawn mower to work. Regular lawn mowing is the most essential activity you can carry out for your lawn. Lawn mowing doesn’t seem like a difficult activity on the surface. But if you don’t mow right, you might end up damaging your lawn.

Always choose a good lawn mower and maintain it often. Mowing with dull blades will damage the grass by tearing it rather than cutting. Always use sharp blades and pay attention to how short you are cutting. It is ideal to cut only a small length of grass at a time to avoid shocking the vegetation. This might increase the frequency of your lawn mowing, but it will keep the grass healthy.

Conclusion

In addition to these activities, what all lawns need is good irrigation. It might seem like a good idea to water your budding landscape as often as possible. Too much water, however, can damage your garden rather than nourish it. Water twice a week and when the soil feels too dry. Following these simple steps will let your garden grow to its potential and become the jewel of the neighborhood.