The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side – But Not You Follow These Lawn Tips.
Having the perfect lawn is a matter of personal pride. Nothing quite compares to having a lawn sitting there in all it’s freshly mown, striped splendor. It turns out that lawns are coming back into fashion. There’s been a resurgence of interested in them since formality returned to garden design.
But there’s a problem. The average Joe isn’t exactly a green lawn grand master. Most of us just sit back in awe when we see perfectly manicured lawns at places like Wimbledon. How do they do it?
It should be said up front that getting the perfect lawn is something of a dark art. Techniques for mastering it have not, for whatever clandestine reason, made their way out onto the web. Many would-be gardeners have been left in the dark – and for far too long.
The reason for this could be down to prestige. Back when aluminum was rarer than gold, great warlord used to wear it around their necks as a sign of their wealth. But as soon as somebody found out how to make it cheaply, the novelty soon wore off. And so did the prestige. The same is true for garden lawns. The powers that be don’t just want any old riff-raff working out how to procure the perfect lawn. They keep the secrets close to their chests, hoping nobody will ever figure out the recipe.
Well, their days are numbered. Here we’re going to reveal what it takes to get the perfect lawn. The grass doesn’t always have to be greener on the other side.
Reseed Areas Where Your Lawn Is Sparse
Sparse areas of lawn can arise anywhere. Common reasons include a lack of access to sunlight, trampling, and competition with other plants. Many gardeners are in a constant battle against things like bordering tree roots that come close to the grassroots. Other gardeners have areas that are in near-constant shade. Yet other gardeners have the problem of animals, like pet ducks, turning their lawns into mud baths.
Here are some solutions. First off, get your trees pruned back. Pruning will increase the amount of light hitting the sparse patch of grass throughout the day. Next, soil and reseed areas around the roots of trees. Be generous with the amount you use so that the grass has a fighting chance of survival against the tree. And third, rotate your animals. Ducks can be great for lawns, so long as they don’t spend too long on the same patch of grass. Usually, they’ll leave the grass alone, and gobble up moss and other annoying critters, like slugs. But be warned, you’ll have to rotate them regularly to avoid total devastation. Needless to say, ducks are a high-risk strategy.
Train Your Dog To Go To The Loo In One Spot
Have you ever found yourself scratching your head as to why patches of your grass seem to be yellow or dead? It’s probably your pooch’s fault. Nitrogen in their waste can kill off plants, including grass.
The solution? Spot-train your dog. Get them to go to the loo in one area of your garden instead of all over the place. Cover over their bathroom area with gravel or mulch. Then give your dog a reward every time he goes to the loo in the right place for good behavior.
Feed The Lawn
I hate to destroy your innocence, but all of the best lawns you see aren’t natural. Well, at least not in the strict sense. Almost all of them are treated with nitrogen fertilizer that feeds each blade of grass.
There are two main types of fertilizer you can use on your grass. The first is so-called “slow-release” fertilizer. This is designed to be applied once and then forgotten about. You won’t see the results straight away, but they’ll emerge over the course of the season. The other is fast release. This is for people who want to give their lawns a shot in the arm. Most people benefit from a combination of both.
If you live in the North, the best time to feed your lawn is during the spring and the fall. In the South, feed your grass in the summer and the spring. Remember, don’t feed fertilizer to grass that is dormant because of drought or high heat.
Mow, Mow And Then Mow Some More
The state of the nation’s lawns has a lot to do with their mowing habits. Many people set their lawnmower blades low to chop off as much of the grass blade as possible. This might be a time saver, but it’s certainly not good for the grass. Grass cut too short is at risk of being damaged and being beset by weeds. Next time you go to mow your lawn, keep the cutting blade high. As a general rule, don’t cut off more than a third of the blade of grass.
It’s also a good idea to choose a mower that has a great blade and which is able to stay sharp. Mowers with blunt blades stop cutting and start ripping grass out of the ground. Click here for reviews of the best corded electric lawn mowers.
Stop Weeds From Ever Coming Up
The best way to stop weeds from causing you trouble is to use a pre-emergent herbicide. This herbicide prevents weeds from damaging your lawn by preventing them from rearing their ugly heads in the first place. It’s a good idea to do this, because once many weeds are established, they’re almost impossible to clear. Use a Add to dictionary between February and April and stop weed seeds from ever turning into fully fledged plants.
Water In The Morning
When it comes to lawns, the question of watering comes up a lot. The experts know that watering should occur early in the morning. This is for two reasons. The first is that the sun will dry out the grass over the course of the day. And the second is that watering, later on, can cause grass to become damp and prone to disease. Water over long periods to make sure the water penetrates the surface and gets down to the roots.
