When it comes to achieving a perfect lawn, proper lawn care and maintenance are essential factors. This includes mowing, watering, and feeding your lawn with the nutrients it needs for optimal growth. While these services will help keep your lawn in good condition, it’s not enough to make it look its absolute best. If you really want a lawn that’s vibrant and full of life, you have to take your lawn care a step further.
Today we’ll be discussing 4 must-dos to help you achieve that perfect lawn you’ve been looking for all season long.
- Consistent mowing schedule & proper mowing techniques
The first step in obtaining a perfect looking lawn is to establish a routine mowing schedule along with the correct mowing methods. Our lawns require mowing on a weekly basis, especially during the growing season (around April to October). You can make do with a bi-weekly mowing routine near the end and at the beginning of each season.
Aside from a consistent mowing schedule, utilising the proper mowing techniques is crucial for the overall health of your lawn. A good rule of thumb is to avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade. This height is generally recommended to allow sufficient sunlight to hit the grass roots and maximise photosynthesis. Of course, this will depend on what type of grass you’re growing, the season you’re in, and the growing conditions present.
The problem is, most homeowners don’t have enough time to regularly mow their lawn. At this point, it’s worth considering to hire a professional lawn mowing service to keep your grass properly trimmed.
- Correctly watering your lawn by avoiding overwatering and underwatering
Watering your lawn requires more than just adding a few sprinkles here and there. You have to know how to water your lawn correctly so that it grows a healthy grass root system. Most lawn owners tend to overwater and underwater their lawn which hinders it overall growth. You want to water your lawn early in the morning so that it dries completely before nighttime. This helps avoid any potential diseases and fungus that can inhibit lawn growth.
Also, consider watering your lawn deeply at least 2-3 times per week. Daily watering can result in a shallow root system that dries out quickly and weakens your lawn. Watering your lawn deeply for a few times a week helps establish a strong root and makes it more drought-resistant which is crucial during summer. Ideally, you want your lawn to receive 1”-1 ½” of water per week, but this will depend on the soil you’re using.
An automated sprinkler/irrigation system is your best bet for consistent lawn watering. Make sure to check them regularly so that you’re getting complete coverage when watering your lawn.
- Fertilising your lawn to deliver essential nutrients
Fertilisers contain essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium which are crucial for overall lawn growth. Along with herbicides, these substances help keep your lawn nutrient-dense while safeguarding it from weeds and unwanted plants. There are many different types of fertilisers available on the market and you can buy these in granular or liquid form.
One of the most common questions lawn owners ask is when to fertilise their lawn. There is no clear-cut answer as it will likely depend on your lawn type and the current condition it’s in. If you’re looking for a simple yet effective fertiliser treatment, you can purchase once-a-year fertiliser treatments. These release the essential nutrients slowly over time and can feed your lawn properly throughout spring and autumn.
Most lawn care professionals recommend fertilising your lawn four times a year, generally once in early spring, twice during summer, and lastly during late autumn. More fertiliser doesn’t necessarily mean better growth so if you’re unsure about how to properly fertilise your lawn, it’s best to contact a professional lawn care technician.
- Repair lawn damage with aeration and overseeding
A complete and healthy lawn care routine involves core aeration and overseeding. This is crucial for repairing lawn damage sustained during summertime. Aeration is the process of perforating the soil with small holes to encourage airflow and allow the grass roots to receive sufficient water and nutrients. When you aerate your lawn, you alleviate soil compaction and break up thatch. This helps achieve a stronger grass roots system for a more resilient and vigorous lawn.
Overseeding on the other hand, is a practice wherein grass seeds are spread on an existing lawn. Overseeding can help fill in patches and thin, worned-out areas of your lawn and gives it a fuller, more vibrant appearance. It also reduces weed and moss invasion to keep your lawn healthy and strong. Not only will it benefit your lawn looks-wise, but it’ll also be more resistant to heavy traffic, drought, and disease.
Aeration can be as simple as poking holes in the soil here and there, but for overseeding, it requires more experience and expertise. There are plenty of factors to consider such as seed germination, spreading the seeds correctly, and fertilising the overseeded areas.
Growing the perfect lawn
A perfect lawn doesn’t grow overnight. It requires consistent care and maintenance along with the above mentioned practices to help it look its absolute best. These tips will help you achieve the perfect lawn that’ll be the envy of neighbours and the favorite playground of your children and pets.
