Lawn Care Made Easy
Many people worry about providing the proper care for their lawns, but the truth of the matter is, grasses that we plant in our lawns are hardy plants that don’t ask for a lot in terms of care. If you spend a little time and money on fertilizing and watering, your lawn will reward you with a lush green carpet.
Understanding Your Lawn
Lawn grasses are foliage plants, which we cherish for their leaves—those cool green blades that we love to walk on during warm summer days. If we keep that in mind, we’ll remind ourselves that just like the plants in our gardens, grass has particular needs.
Unlike many plants, however, most grasses used for lawns have shallow root systems that don’t go deeply beneath the soil surface. The roots linger in the topsoil, causing rapid depletion of nutrients. This is why for best results, you need to fertilize your lawn on a regular basis.
Feeding Your Lawn
Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for a green, healthy lawn. Nitrogen promotes vegetative growth in plants without it, leaf production dwindles. However, just as we should not overeat, we should not over do it with fertilizer. Too much nitrogen all at once leads to rapid growth, but it neglects the nutrients that are essential to developing a strong root system.
A balanced fertilizer containing the three primary elements—nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K)—applied lightly several times a year (rather than all at once) will yield the best results. The grass will grow lush and green, as well as develop strong root systems and a resistance to disease and pests.
Choosing a commercial fertilizer
There are many fertilizers on the market that are specifically formulated for lawns. Their labels should clearly indicate a higher nitrogen value than phosphorous and potassium, such as an 8-2-2. If you choose non-organic fertilizer, look for a granular product that releases nutrients slowly. Avoid liquid fertilizers that are sprayed or watered in, as these can release too much nitrogen too quickly.
Organic lawn fertilizers are an excellent choice. They offer a slow, gradual release of nutrients, which avoids burning the lawn from accidental over fertilization. Beneficial soil organisms are attracted to these fertilizers, breaking down the organic matter and releasing more nutrients for the roots to absorb.
When to Fertilize
To encourage hardy blade development, apply fertilizer early in the season, before the grass starts to grow. Later in the season, before the dormant period, apply a product that encourages good root development.
Your specific climate will determine when to do these applications: spring and fall for cold climates, early and late summer for warm climates. Follow the product’s instructions closely on rate and amount of application.
You may want to invest in a drop spreader. These have a hopper that holds the fertilizer, feeding it out in a steady rate as you roll the spreader over your lawn. Most fertilizers come with instructions for calibrating your spreader’s delivery rate to suit the particular fertilizer formula you’re using.
Watering Wisdom
As with garden plants, the mantra for watering is “water well, not often.” Your goal is to supply an adequate amount of water to the soil. A deep, thorough soaking of the soil will encourage the roots to reach down into the soil and develop a stronger root system.
If you merely do a light watering every day or so, the soil will not be adequately soaked, and the roots—finding water at the surface—will become shallow. This can lead to root burn and grass death, especially during hot, dry spells.
When to water
Take your soil’s composition into consideration when you water. A heavy clay soil drains slowly—an asset during dryer summers. Sandy soil, however, tends to drain quickly and can often show signs of drought stress. Lawns with lots of direct sunlight require more water than partly shaded lawns. And cool-climate lawns require less water than those in warmer climates.
The grass will tell you when it’s time water. A wilted lawn is gasping for water. But if the grass is springy underfoot, it’s getting adequate moisture, so there’s no need to break out the hose.
Some homeowners check the soil moisture by digging up a small plug of grass, roots, soil and all. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water; if moist, leave the sprinkler off until another day. Simply replace the soil plug and it will settle back to growing.
Turning on the tap
Most of us use lawn sprinklers to water the grass. There are a number of options available, all of which will cover large areas at a time. Portable surface sprinklers are sufficient for many homeowners, especially in areas with good rainfall.
For those who need to irrigate regularly, an automatic impulse system (that requires installation) is a better choice.
Early morning waterings are ideal, giving the water time to soak down to the roots and the grass blades time to dry before evening. Avoid watering on windy days, when much of your precious moisture may evaporate before roots can absorb it. And never water during the heat of the day.
Water slowly and deeply, allowing moisture to seep 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) into the soil to root level. The rule of thumb is 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week for an average lawn with moderate drainage; adjust your rate to lower or higher levels according to the soil composition.
To know how long your system takes to deliver that inch of water, place a couple of small containers beneath the sprinkler, each marked with a line at an inch from the container’s bottom. The length of time it takes to fill the sprinkler to that inch level is the amount of time to operate the sprinkler each time you irrigate.
Hold your water
Your water source, whether it’s your municipality or your own well, may not allow you to water the lawn during extended dry spells. Don’t panic if your lawn turns brown; all this means is that the grass has gone dormant, as it does during winter months. As soon as rainfall or watering resumes, it will green up again.
Remember, grass is a hardy plant. It can usually withstand regular seasonal ups and downs. But with proper fertilization and watering, your lawn will reward you for your care year after year. If you live in arid locales, make sure you’ve planted a drought-resistant species of grass.
You may also consider planting drought-tolerant groundcovers, such as lavender or creeping thyme, or other low-growing drought-tolerant perennials and shrubs, as a replacement for part or all of the grass in your lawn.
Source: From Carefree Plants
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