They say the grass is always greener on the other side. But if you look after your lawn, yours might be the greenest of them all. When it comes to lawn care, consistency is key. Regular care and maintenance will go a long way in ensuring that your lawn stays lush, vibrant, and full of life no matter which season you’re in. Lawn care doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult. You just have to know how to take care of it. Here we’ve compiled our favorite lawn care tips that’ll make your lawn the envy of the neighbours.
- Inspect your lawn for weeds, pests, and diseases
The first step in proper lawn care is to thoroughly inspect for potential issues that could affect its health. Weed growth, pests, and fungal disease can have a negative impact on your lawn so it’s imperative to look out for early signs and treat them right away. Small amounts of weed growth can usually be removed by hand before it starts spreading on your lawn. Ideally, you’ll want to inspect your lawn once or twice a week. This reduces the need for using pesticides and other chemicals that could otherwise cause damage to your lawn.
- Mow your lawn regularly
Regular mowing is essential for optimal lawn health because it prevents weed invasions from affecting large spaces. Mowing also encourages a dense mat that looks fuller and more vibrant. It’s best to mow your lawn during the growing stages to maintain its health. Just don’t cut the grass too long because a slightly longer grass blade will help protect the soil from the sun’s rays.
- Correct lawn watering
Water is a crucial element for healthy lawn growth, but too much will drown the roots and become waterlogged. This can weaken the stems and the grass itself. The best way to approach this is to give your lawn a deep watering from time to time to help encourage a strong, healthy root system.
- Regular fertilisation
Your lawn needs essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in order to grow healthy grass. Regular fertilisation ensures that your lawn is receiving enough nutrients and give it a deep, green colour as well as combat weed invasions.
- Prevent lawn compaction
Lawn compaction is when the soil gets compacted due to frequent foot traffic or leaving heavy objects frequently on the lawn. This prevents oxygen, water, and other essential nutrients from reaching your lawn’s root system and eventually cause serious damage. To combat lawn compaction, use a garden fork to create air holes (lawn aerating) to promote a constant flow of water and oxygen. This ensures that the root system is receiving enough nutrients to grow a healthy lawn.
- Allow adequate sunlight to reach the lawn
The amount of sunlight your lawn needs depends on what type of grass you’re growing. For grass types such as Kikuyu, Couch, and Queensland Blue, these need direct sunlight exposure for optimal growth. Zoysia, Sir Walter Buffalo and Durban grass varieties can cope with less sunlight while still being able to grow healthy.
- Be mindful of thatch
Thatch is a naturally occurring layer of organic matter that protects the soil from water evaporation and ensures a steady surface for the lawn to withstand foot traffic. Do monitor thatch accumulation and start dethatching your lawn when it starts to feel spongy or thick when walked on. This allows the lawn to regenerate its own runners and help maintain a healthy lawn for the long term.
Conclusion
Lawn care doesn’t need to be complex and time-consuming. With these 7 lawn care tips, your lawn will become healthier and full of life. Follow these easy tips and watch your lawn transform into a lush, evergreen field of vibrant grass.
The Reason Why Different Lawn Types Vary in Price
You might be wondering why some lawns cost more than others when all of them look quite similar. Lawns are bought by the square metre, so why the difference in price? Lawn varieties have their own unique characteristics that grow best in different environments. The difference in cost is mainly attributed to how long your turf needs to be nurtured on the turf farm before it gets harvested and delivered. Less expensive turfs are usually the ones that are fast growing and use less resources.
The planting and harvesting process happens much faster, hence the cheaper cost. Lawn varieties that grow slowly take longer to harvest and requires much more time and resources before it gets delivered to the customers. For example:
- Buffalo soft leaf grows slowly at around 12-18 months before it is ready to harvest.
- Kikuyu grass grows quickly at around 6-9 months before it is ready to harvest.
Which lawn variety should you choose?
Today’s turf market is saturated with plenty of lawn varieties that meets your specific needs. It all depends on your location and how you plan on using your lawn. Choose a lawn type that fits your lifestyle and not just based on cost alone. Here are some examples:
- Buffalo soft leaf is perfect for sunny environments. It’s relatively low-maintenance and the grass is soft enough for kids to play on.
- Couch grass is great for areas with frequent foot traffic. Its hard-wearing characteristics make it an ideal choice for playgrounds and sporting areas.
- Kikuyu grass is suitable for areas where you need to cover large surfaces in a short amount of time. If you need rapid spreading of lawn, kikuyu should be your first choice.
Other factors to consider are the frequency of maintenance required for your specific lawn. High-maintenance require regular lawn mowing and tend to be highly weed invasive. This can cost you time, money, and energy to upkeep your lawn but it’ll be more lush, vibrant, and full of life. Low-maintenance lawns require less upkeep and eliminate the need for frequent mowing. If you don’t want to spend time maintaining your lawn, go for a low-maintenance variety that’s durable and wear-resistant.
Conclusion
Lawn types vary in price depending on their growth rate and how long it takes before its gets harvested. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each lawn variety and go with one that best suits your budget and lifestyle.
