The do’s and don’ts of home Lawn Care

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Lawn care is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and beautiful outdoor space. Whether you have a small or large garden, a well-maintained lawn can improve the appeal of your home and provide a picturesque, comfortable space for outdoor activities.

By following the do’s and don’ts of lawn care, you can ensure that your lawn remains healthy and beautiful all year-round. In this blog, we’ll provide expert advice on the key factors to consider when caring for your lawn.

Do: Water your lawn properly!

Proper watering is crucial to maintaining a healthy lawn. Without sufficient water, grass can become dry, brown, and brittle, which can make it susceptible to pests, diseases, and weed growth.

But be careful – overwatering can also cause problems, such as shallow root growth, which can make the grass more vulnerable to drought and other stress factors.

So, what’s the right way to water your lawn? Here are some do’s of proper lawn watering:

  • Water deeply and infrequently: Instead of watering your lawn every day, aim to water it deeply and infrequently. This means giving it a good soak, so that the water reaches the roots of the grass, but not so much that it becomes waterlogged.
  • Water in the morning: The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning, before the heat of the day sets in. This allows the water to soak into the soil before it evaporates in the sun.
  • Use the right amount of water: The amount of water your lawn needs will depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of grass, soil type, and climate. As a general rule of thumb, most lawns need about 1 inch of water per week.
  • Adjust for rain and weather: Don’t water your lawn if it has rained recently or if rain is in the forecast. Likewise, if it’s particularly hot and dry, your lawn may need more water than usual.
lawn care watering
Proper lawn watering can help to ensure that your grass stays healthy and vibrant throughout the year.

Don’t: Mow your lawn too short!

Mowing your lawn too short can cause several problems for your lawn’s health and appearance. When grass blades are cut too short, the root system is often damaged and weakened, making the grass more susceptible to pests, diseases, and drought stress.

Additionally, cutting too much of the grass blade can reduce the overall surface area of the leaves, which can limit the plant’s ability to photosynthesize and produce energy.

Mowing your lawn too short can also create an environment that favors weed growth. When the grass is cut too short, the soil is exposed to more sunlight, which can encourage weed seeds to germinate and grow. This can lead to unsightly patches of weeds throughout your lawn.

To avoid these problems, it’s important to set your lawn mower blade to the appropriate height for your type of grass. Different types of grass have different optimal mowing heights, which can vary based on factors such as weather conditions and time of year.

A few tips we recommend:

  • As a general rule, it’s better to err on the side of leaving the grass a bit longer rather than cutting it too short.
  • When mowing your lawn, aim to remove no more than one-third of the grass blade length at a time. This will help to maintain a healthy root system and minimize stress on the grass.
  • It’s a good idea to keep your lawn mower blade sharp to ensure a clean cut that won’t tear or damage the grass blades.
Beautiful lawn
A beautiful lawn we’ve mowed for a customer in Norfolk

Do: Fertilize your lawn regularly!

Fertilizing your lawn regularly is an essential part of lawn care. Fertilizers provide the nutrients that your grass needs to grow and thrive, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

These nutrients help to promote healthy root growth, enhance colour and thickness, and improve resistance to pests and disease.

When choosing a fertilizer for your lawn, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your grass type and the time of year. Different fertilizers have different nutrient ratios, which can be tailored to the specific needs of your grass.

For example, a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content is often used in the spring and summer to promote growth, while a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content may be used in the fall to promote root development.

Some tips we recommend to follow:

  • Start by testing your soil to determine its nutrient content and pH level. You can purchase these testing kits online. This will help you to choose the right fertilizer and ensure that you are applying the correct amount.
  • Applying too much fertilizer can burn your grass and cause damage, while applying too little may not provide enough nutrients for healthy growth
  • It’s important to water your lawn after fertilizing to help the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the roots.
lawn fertilizing
Fertilizing your lawn regularly can help to promote healthy growth and enhance the overall appearance of your lawn

Don’t: Neglect pest and weed control!

Neglecting pest and weed control can have a detrimental effect on the health and appearance of your lawn. Pests can damage grass roots, causing your lawn to become patchy and thin.

Weeds, on the other hand, can compete with your grass for water and nutrients, leading to stunted growth and a less attractive appearance.

To prevent pest and weed problems in your lawn, it’s important to take a proactive approach. This can include regular inspections to identify any signs of pest or weed activity, as well as implementing preventive measures such as using natural pest control methods, planting disease-resistant grass varieties, and applying pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weed growth.

If you do notice signs of pests or weeds in your lawn, it’s important to address the problem promptly.

There are a variety of treatments available, including insecticides and herbicides, that can effectively control pest and weed infestations. However, it’s important to use these products responsibly and follow all safety instructions to avoid harm to yourself or the environment!

garden weed control
Maintain a healthy lawn with regular pest and garden weed control

Finally, don’t ignore lawn problems!

Ignoring lawn problems is one of the biggest mistakes that homeowners can make when it comes to lawn care. Lawn problems such as brown patches, thinning grass, and weeds can quickly spread and become more difficult to address if left untreated.

By taking a proactive approach to your lawn care and addressing problems as they arise, you can maintain a healthy, vibrant lawn that you can enjoy all season long!

P.S. A quick and simple tip for lawn care is scarifying your lawn. You can read more about this in our dedicated blog!

For more lawn care expertise check out our top tips for a thicker lawn

Need help with your lawn care? Hire a professional

If you’re struggling to keep up with the demands of lawn care, or if you simply want to ensure that your lawn is getting the professional attention it deserves, it may be time to consider working with a garden services company.

We have over 15 years of home and commercial gardening experience, so if you need us to keep your lawn healthy and vibrant without the stress and hassle of doing it all yourself, get in touch with us for a free quotation/contact. We visit gardens all over Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire!

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