Grass protects your soil from erosion and also plays a pretty big role in your home’s overall aesthetic. Let’s face it; no one likes a patchy brown lawn. So what can you do to get your grass seed to transform into a lush green lawn and keep it that way?
Choose the right grass
The first step to growing beautiful grass is choosing the right grass seed. It’s important to do your research and see what type of grass will grow well in your region and at the time of planting. For example, cool season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass grow well when they are planted in summer or early fall and thrive in the northern region where there are cold winters and mild summers. Warm season grasses such as Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, and St. Augustine grass all do better in places with hot summers and mild winters.
It’s always a good idea to check with a local lawn care service to see what types of grass seed they carry and how to grow grass in your particular area.
Take lawn mowing seriously
Cutting the grass may seem like a straightforward chore, but if you aren’t doing it correctly, you could actually be doing more harm than good. It’s important not to over-trim your grass; ideally you would never cut more than 1/3 of the total leaf surface, meaning 2/3 of the grass blade should be left standing after you finish mowing. Cutting your lawn too short is called “scalping” and it can lead to weed infestations. Scalped lawns are also more susceptible to damage due to poorly developed root systems.
Your lawn mowing equipment also plays a large role in growing grass that lasts. If you mower blades are dull, you won’t get a clean cut. Cutting your grass sharply increases photosynthesis and decreases water loss, meaning you’ll have healthier and greener grass. If you think your blades could use sharpening, contact a lawn care professional for a tune-up.
Be kind to your grass
You’ll also want to watch out for habits that damage your grass. Many homeowners make the mistake of using pesticides to kill weeds or insects, but these chemicals often end up restricting the water in your soil, essentially dehydrating your lawn.
Of course, when it comes to watering your grass, it’s a delicate balance, because overwatering can actually lead to a shallow root system. Water your grass either before the sun comes up or after it goes down, and only when you aren’t seeing a lot of rainfall.
Another thing to be careful about is leaving items on your grass for an extended period of time. If you leave a kiddie pool out on the lawn for a week, you’re going to end up with a big pool-shaped brown spot. Think twice before you store anything on top of your lawn!
Lawn maintenance isn’t always easy, but the reward is a beautiful yard, so it's worth the effort. If you have any doubts, call a lawn care service and get advice from professionals. Hackmann Lawn and Landscape is available for all your St Charles and St Louis area lawn care needs! Give us a call at (636) 688-6647 for a quote.
