Lawn Care Tips

With the summer in full swing now it's a good time to talk about lawn care. Lawns need a lot to maintain that health green we all like (well most of us). Sometimes it seems like a complex art than anything else. We all have seen those immaculate lawns on TV, or in the movies. How do we get lawns so weed free and tidy? Years of work is the first answer that comes to mind, lawns are not an overnight or weekend project. I have had friends wonder if it would be better to just start all over, rather than fight the weeds. Keep in mind that weed seeds will grow just as well as grass seeds, or sod. So we are back to the work. So were do I start? I like to answer questions, with a question (don't worry I will answer it). It's to get you thinking.

So here is the first question: what are lawns made of? The quick answer would be grass. Well that is correct, but far from the right answer. Well not to get too scientific, the basics of a lawn are: the root structure, the thatch, and the blades. All of these things need to be cared for to maintain a healthy lawn.

The roots.

The roots are the most important part of the lawn, without it you would have a nice dirt-lawn. How do you properly care for the root system of your lawn? Proper watering, feeding, and trimming.

Lawns should only be watered 2 - 3 times per week. You should water for 30 - 60 minutes per watering, depending on soil type and sprinkler heads. Watering too often will cause the roots to grow at a shallow depth. This can cause you lawn to suddenly become yellow if the heat hits too fast. Watering it less often for longer periods helps the water to soak in deeply and then the roots will follow. The deeper the root system the better.