5 Important Basics Of Lawn Care

Everyone wants a beautiful, healthy lawn. Such a lush lawn provides an ideal place for playing with the kids, entertaining, or just relaxing. A gorgeous lawn also provides your home with curb appeal — a dead or dying lawn appears neglected. Below are the five best practices for basic lawn care.

Mow the Grass Correctly

Mowing may seem like the most straightforward part of lawn care. However, many homeowners cut their grass too short, which causes it stress. According to Today's Homeowner, the optimal height of your grass depends on its type, with Zoysia getting cut the shortest and buffalo grass the longest. A good rule of thumb, though, is warm-season grasses can go shorter, while cool-season grasses need to be taller.

Water the Grass Regularly

Most lawn grasses do best when their moisture levels stay consistent. If you're setting up an automatic sprinkler system, plan to water well about once a week. However, you'll need to check the moisture levels. Watch for wilting and yellowing grass — these indicate you either need to water more frequently or more deeply.

Fertilize the Grass Seasonally

At the bare minimum, you should fertilize your lawn every season. However, many lawncare experts recommend a targeted fertilization about every two months. The exact formula for these fertilizations depends on your grass and growing conditions. The formulations typically vary in ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, which are the basic components for grass fertilizer.

Aerate the Lawn Every Year or Two

The soil in your yard can become compacted from foot traffic, which results in a thin, poorly-draining lawn. The solution to this problem is aeration, which either punches holes in the compacted soil to loosen it up or removes plugs from the soil. How often you need to aerate your lawn depends on how you use it. Most commercial properties get aerated yearly, but if you don't walk on your lawn a lot, every other year might be sufficient.

Be Vigilant for Disease and Pests

The best way to prevent diseases and pests from destroying your lawn is to prevent them from ever establishing in your grass. Basic lawn care will prevent most of those issues. However, inspect your lawn regularly. Look for issues such as yellowing grass or strange buildup on the surface of your lawn. Those are the two most common symptoms of disease and insect infestation.

Grow a lush, beautiful lawn that benefits both your house's curb appeal and your outdoor lifestyle.

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