Stop Killing Your Grass! 5 Tips Your Lawn Wants You to Follow
3 pros!
Check out these tips to water, fertilize and maintain your grass.
Everyone on the block knew what the giant, man-eating flytrap, Audrey II, wanted in the 1986 film “Little Shop of Horrors” when it sang, “Feed me Seymour.”
Sadly, our lawns can’t talk and tell us what they need. But if they could talk, our lawns might explain how we’re killing them without even knowing it. Here are the top five things your grass wants you to know:
1. Hey, you need help!
If you’ve thrown the whole kitchen sink at the lawn and nothing sticks, it might be time to start over. The answer to your lawn problems could be that you’re doing too much, says Bob Hansel of highly rated Anozira Landscape in Phoenix. He says the first step to overcoming your lawn problem is admitting you need help.
2. Stop drenching me
Don’t go crazy with watering, but don’t slack off either. Deep, infrequent watering helps grass thrive and minimizes weed growth. Heavy watering tends to saturate the ground layer, but doesn’t penetrate the root. “I find way more customers over-watering than under-watering,” Hansel says.
Grass only needs about an inch of water a week. To determine watering depth, place an empty tuna can near your sprinkler and let it run until the can fills with water. Over-watered grass appears yellow or light green and you might notice dark green or brown veins in the leaves. Hansel says even customers with irrigation systems over-water.
3. Quit cutting so close!
Although trimming your grass as short as possible seems like a good way to save time, it really creates more work in the long-run. Giving your lawn a buzz cut puts stress on the grass, exposes the roots and soil and reduces its ability to fight off pests and weeds. When soil is exposed, weeds become more prominent and thrive. The weeds then compete with your grass for nutrients and water.
Lawn care pros say you never want to mow your grass shorter than 3 inches, and you should never cut more than a third of its total height at once. Adjust your mower height and let the grass grow a little longer between mowings. Keep your mower blade sharp for a clean and even cut. Also, mow in a different direction each time to avoid creating ruts.
4. Fertilize the right way
Incorrectly applying fertilizer will quickly turn your lawn from green to brown. Always use a broadcast spreader to ensure even application. Too much fertilizer in one area will kill your grass, so never pour it directly out of the bag.
Select the right blend of fertilizer for your lawn and follow the instructions on the bag. High-nitrogen fertilizer is ideal for spring because it promotes lush growth, but applying it in the middle of the summer when your lawn is dormant can kill the grass.
5. Pay attention!
Although your lawn can’t talk, it will let you know when weeds and pests get the best of it. One dandelion plant makes up to 15,000 seeds, which can survive almost six years in the soil. The Purdue University Extension recommends applying a general-purpose broadleaf herbicide in the late spring or early fall to control perennial weeds, such as dandelions, clover and plantain. If weeds take over and DIY methods don’t work, consider hiring a lawn treatment company to get things back in line.
