We all have Those Neighbors, the ones who seem like they’re straight out of the fifties: Perfect house, perfect kids, and perfect lawn. Oh, that lawn. That green, luscious, undulating field of grass that looks like you could just swim in it. You never see them do any maintenance, so it’s impossible to tell what sort of black magic they work over it so you can replicate it.
Fear not, lawn warrior. We have assembled tips on getting the ideal grass. Soon, you will be able to host cook outs with pride.
First, do the prep wor
Getting your lawn that lovely emerald green is going to take a little effort at first, but will almost maintain itself if you do the first few steps correctly. If you get discouraged, just think: those Neighbors’ faces will be as green as your lawn when you finish.
Rake your lawn. This will stand the grass blades upright and allow you to remove any debris. This could include large stones (usually over one inch), builders’ rubble, and any bits of plastic from lawn ornaments or toys.
Aerate. This is a good option if you tend to be in your yard a lot. If there tends to be little traffic on your lawn, you can skip this step. Aerating your grass allows fresh air to enter the soil, so that water can penetrate.
Then you can get growing
Seed your lawn. Chances are, if you have done little to no maintenance over the years, you will have sparse areas. Or perhaps your whole lawn is a sparse area. Overseed every patch that needs it; you cannot be too generous. Lay down a top soil coat first. Then, spread the grass seeds over the layer of top soil, rake smooth, and water.
Make sure to pick a grass type that will thrive in your area. The right type of grass will depend on your climate, usage, and weather. Do your research. Don’t put in a water-loving grass if your area is prone to drought. If you have a humid climate, don’t seed grass that is susceptible to fungus. Pick the grass that will grow best where you lie.
Fertilize! This is one of the most important steps in getting a great lawn. Fertilizing will make sure your grass grows strong and will push out any weeds. A high-nitrogen content fertilizer is your best bet. Do not over-fertilize! After the initial feeding of your lawn, once a year in the fall is enough to keep your lawn healthy.
Cut your grass. Grass should be kept at about 2.5-3 inches high: tall grass is health grass. Once your grass is a few inches high, set your lawn mower to the highest setting. This might be 3.5 to 4 inches high, just to get the tips of your grass. This will shade out weeds, keep the soil cooler, and promotes deeper root penetration. This is the best way to keep your grass growing longer and stronger.
Consider replacing your old mower. Older gas mowers are no good for the environment. Newer mowers produce far fewer emissions, or purchase an old-fashioned push mower. The new push ones are lighter than before, and have improved, sharper blades.
Mulch. This does not mean using that stinky stuff you put by your trees and bushes. This means leaving grass clippings on your lawn after mowing. Those clippings, when returned to the roots of the grass, provide an excellent source of nitrogen. As discussed with the fertilizer, the more nitrogen a grass has, the better it will fare.
Add lime. This is important in the American East and Midwest, where the rain tends to be on the acidic side. A light sprinkling once a year will work wonders, and keep your lawn protected and healthy. To get the best spread of lime, you can use a pump sprayer, for even coverage and easy application.
Water your lawn, but not too often. Too much water will drown your grass. Too little water means dry grass that won’t grow. In order to get the best results, make sure to water your lawn in the morning, before the sun is overhead. Less evaporation happens this way, and your grass gets the full benefit. Give your lawn about an inch of water, which will then soak 6-8 inches into the ground.
An easy way to get the proper amount of water is to purchase a sprinkler. Turn the sprinkler on once a week for an hour. This is a more efficient hydration system than standing outside with a hose for ten minutes every day.
This is the best way to get your lawn going and growing. It takes a little work, but your lawn will simply sing under the summer sun. You’ll finally have a beautiful lawn you’ll want to share with your friends and family.
