Looking for a Luscious Lawn?

A beautiful lawn is something many homeowner's all over America try to achieve each summer. A dense, green layer of grass makes everything else look so much better. While few of us have that perfectly green lawn, there are some simple things we can do to achieve that nice layer of grass! From seeding to mowing and watering, read on for some great lawn tips!

Seeding should be done in a cool time of the year. The preferred time for seeding is in the early fall. Seeding in the cool of late summer and early fall will allow the seed to germinate and begin growth. If you seed in the heat of summer the seed will burn and dry out and have a very hard time germinating. Be sure to choose seed that is compatible with your growing conditions. If you are seeding in full sun, choose seed for full sun, and likewise for shady spots. Prepare the site by raking or tilling the soil so the ground is nice and loose. This will help the seed to fall on gentle ground that will provide a stable growing surface. Rake lightly after seeding so that the seed will be incorporated into the soil. Be sure to keep your seeded ground moist so that the seeds can germinate fully and have enough moisture to begin growing!

Mowing your grass is the most important thing you can do to maintain a beautiful lawn. You should mow at least once a week, but never cut more than one third of the grass length down. So if your grass is 3 inches tall, only mow the grass down to 2 inches. Many people think they can mow their grass shorter so that they will not have to mow as soon, but this just stresses out the grass which causes the lawn to suffer. When the grass is cut severely, the grass just grows faster to replenish what has been cut. Taller grass will hide problem spots that will be very obvious in shortly cut lawns. The longer grass will also provide more shade to the roots which will hold water in the soil and help to keep the roots cool. Longer grass will also choke out the weeds more efficiently that short grass. It is also a good idea to mow your grass in a different pattern with each cutting. This will cut the blades on a different side each time and access more weeds by the rotation.

Another great mowing tip, is to mulch your grass clippings. Many people think they should bag or rake the grass clippings after they mow, but leaving them to fall back to the ground will add nitrogen back to the ground and provide extra moisture control measures. Earthworms love the freshly cut grass clippings, and earthworms can be a gardeners best asset! Leaving the grass clippings will not cause thatch. Thatch is caused by the use of chemicals on your lawn which destroy the natural organisms needed to breakdown the lawn refuse.

It is also a great idea to aerate your lawn. Aerating your lawn every few years is enough, but this practice will help the soil to break down and allow water and other nutrients to penetrate deep into the root areas. Almost every yard and garden center should have an aerator that you can rent for a night to get the job done. This will also help break down thatch that has built up throughout your lawn.

If you choose to water your lawn, be sure to do it in the early morning. If you water in the evening, the grass and soil will remain wet throughout the night which creates a breeding zone for bacteria and other lawn diseases. Don't water in the heat of the day as much of the water will be lost through evaporation. Generally your lawn needs one inch of rain per week, so if you have a week where it is dry and hasn't rained that much, try soaking the lawn one morning to make up for the lack of rain.

One last tip is to take weeds in their simplicity. No lawn can ever be weed free, and you may not want it to be anyway. Weeds provide beneficial nutrients to the lawn as well as control many insects that may break-down your grass. Apply herbicides when you feel it is necessary, but remember that whatever you place on your lawn will eventually run off into our creeks and streams and will affect the wildlife around you.

These are some great tips for your lawn care, follow the one-third rule of mowing, water in the early morning, and mulch your grass clippings. Following these simple tips will help your lawn to be looking more dense and a deep green in no time! Here's to perfecting that lovely lawn of yours!