A healthy, green lawn is a joy to sink your bare feet into. A little planning and professional landscape maintenance will do wonders for your garden in Sandy, Utah or any other location. Here’s a list of lawn care tips to keep your yard green and lush:
1. Adjust your soil pH
Most grasses prefer a lower pH, usually between 6.0 to 7.2. Soils in Utah, however, are usually with a pH of 8.0 or more. Alkaline soils with a high pH level can be detrimental to the health of some landscape plants. But there are some simple ways to reduce the pH levels, including tilling the soil, using organic matters, and adding sulfur or aluminum sulfate. Over time, organic residues not only improve your soil pH, but it will also be helpful for improving your garden’s drainage and aeration.
2. Follow Proper Irrigation
To water well, the amount of moisture and timing is what matters and not the frequency. Too much water will result in shallow root growth and weak lawns. One way to stimulate a deeper grass root system below the ground is to follow “deep watering,” which is watering less frequently but for longer. You are not harming your grass by watering them only when they are dry. This is a long-established principle followed around the world that works best with healthy, well-cultivated soil.
Watering at the wrong time could also increase the chances of lawn diseases. Watering early in the morning is the best practice while it is cool since this will allow the water to reach the roots without evaporating.
3. Mow Often and Little
If your lawn is brown and patchy, this is often the result of mowing less frequently and mowing too much of the grass in one clipping. Mow high and don’t forget the ‘One-Third Rule.’ There is a direct relationship between the height of the grass and the depth of the roots, and the mowing height can affect root growth more than anything else. Roots reaching deeply into the soil are important as they help extend grass life, help grass endure heat and environmental stress, and reduce fertilizer use. In addition, a healthy grass root system can prevent leaking of nutrients and chemicals.
Another thing to remember is that not more than one-third of the grass blade should be removed in one clipping. You will impair the root growth if you cut more than one-third of the grass blades. Consequently, your lawn will be susceptible to diseases and weed invasions, and this will result in an overall thin stand.
4. Use the Correct Fertilizer
Lawn maintenance is more than just aerating and mowing. Fertilization is another key to successful lawn maintenance. Grass needs extra macro-nutrients, specifically nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. A soil test is a great way to decide which ratio of these macro-nutrients is needed.
Maintaining a healthy lawn isn’t rocket science, but it does take time and patience to keep it lush and beautiful. Creating a routine to take care of your lawn doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task once you’ve mastered all the tips and tricks provided in this guide.
