Growing up, my main job was to mow the grass. I remember trying to make my lines as straight as possible, aiming for those iconic grass stripes you see at MLB stadiums. I also helped my dad spread fertilizer in the spring and watched as core plugs appeared on the lawn each fall. Once I had a yard of my own, I thought, “How hard can this be? Just mow once a week and focus on getting those stripes.” Boy, was I wrong. Achieving a lush, green lawn is no easy task. This guide will help you get started with the basics of lawn care.
Before We Begin
The first step is to figure out how large your lawn is. You can use the measuring tool on Google Earth or physically measure it yourself. Knowing the size helps ensure you buy the right amount of product for your lawn care needs. Next, identify whether you have a cool-season or warm-season lawn. Another highly recommended tool is a soil test kit, which you can get online or through a local agricultural college. The test results will tell you what nutrients your lawn is lacking or has too much of.
Spring
Soil temperature is a crucial factor in maintaining a nice lawn, and you can check temperatures online here. Spring is the ideal time to set the foundation for a healthy, weed-free lawn throughout the summer. Start by applying a pre-emergent, which acts as a barrier to prevent crabgrass seeds from sprouting. After that, you can apply a fertilizer, which should be based on the results of your soil test. This ensures your lawn gets the nutrients it needs, like iron or lime.
Spring is also a good time for dethatching, which removes dead grass from winter, as well as applying insecticides and fungicides if needed. You can also start a post-emergent schedule to tackle any weeds that pop up.
Summer
Summer is the most stressful season for your yard. During this time, focus on ensuring your lawn gets enough water, managing weeds, and keeping up with regular mowing. Ideally, mow every 3-4 days, but if that’s not possible, mowing once a week is usually fine.
If weeds appear, deal with them early. A basic weed and feed can help, or you can spot-treat with liquid weed killers. Be sure to read the label to ensure it won’t harm your grass. As for watering, there are specific techniques you can use, but a good rule of thumb is: if it’s brown, water it down.
Fall
Fall is the perfect time to repair any damage caused by the summer heat. This can include aeration, dethatching, and possibly reseeding your lawn. Each of these tasks is fairly involved, so I’ll cover them in more detail in future posts. This season is exciting because you’re setting yourself up for success in the coming year.
If you don’t plan on reseeding, consider applying another round of pre-emergent to keep weeds at bay.
Winter
As winter approaches, there are a few final tasks to complete. If you reseeded in the fall, your new grass should have strong enough roots to survive the winter. You’ll want to mow your lawn short to ensure snow sits on top of the grass, which helps prevent diseases like snow mold. Don’t forget to winterize your gear and blow out the water from your irrigation system to prevent cracks.
Final Thoughts
This is a basic starter guide for anyone who wants to improve their lawn year after year. Lawn care can be a labor-intensive hobby, but the reward of a lush, green lawn in the middle of summer will make you want to dance on the lawn. Best of luck!
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