The way your property is landscaped makes a home. If the lawn is scraggly with brown patches and plots of weeds, then a mansion can feel like a dilapidated structure. On the other hand, a meticulously cared for a lawn that is lush and green can make a 1000-square-foot ranch home look like a palace.
Lawns At The Start
When home builders in Bluffton, SC, and other areas of the country construct a residence, they take pride in everything. That includes the new grass they put down. That’s why houses from contractors like Green Craft Homes have a luxurious look to them.
Once they’re done, they rely on you to maintain the landscaping. This can be hard due to family or work life as well as the weather. Before you realize it, your yard isn’t as green and soft as it once was.
There are ways to improve your lawn so it looks like it did when you first moved in. Here are a few tips.
Determine If Your Lawn Is Drought-Resistant
The most popular sod that is laid down for a new home is Kentucky Bluegrass. It’s rich, dense, and soft to the touch. When it’s properly hydrated during the spring growing season, the grass quickly grows to a foot if not properly treated. Conversely, when planted in rain-deficient areas, it rapidly dries up.
This is an issue in warmer climates or those affected by drought. Should you need to stop watering the lawn it will die. Thus, you want to look for a drought-resistant grass blend like perennial ryegrass or Bermuda grass. Not only do they withstand hotter temperatures but they also require less water. Therefore, you lower your utility costs.
Fertilize
Though fertilizer doesn’t have the greatest aroma, the odor is worth it. It contains several nutrients like zinc, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. When applied to the grass it causes two things to happen. First, your lawn retains its color and feel if properly treated. Second, it minimizes the risk of weeds like Dandelions or Nut Grass.
To see maximum results, you should fertilize your lawn four times a year. This is in the early and late spring, summer, and fall. Don’t over-do this process. This can cause a condition called fertilizer burn that results in your grass turning brown due to the amount of salt in the soil.
Let It Grow
Some believe that mowing their lawn several times a week is the best way to improve it. On the contrary, the outcome could be patches of dead grass since the buds don’t have enough time to grow. To fix this, let it grow a bit.
Don’t wait until it’s so high that you can’t find your pets. Rather, consider mowing every 10 days to two weeks. This is especially true when you fertilize or plant seeds. These need time to work into the soil.
Aerate
As you mow the lawn or simply walk on it, the soil is compacted. It gets to the point that new grassroots have a hard time sprouting. As a result, you may start to see bare portions on your lawn.
To resolve this, purchase or rent an aerator. This machine has four prongs that get pushed into the soil as you move. In turn, they open spaces for water and nutrients to flow. Additionally, it also allows you to add new seeds into these spaces to replace the lost grass.
Remove Thatch
Thatch is a layer of dead grass that accumulates on your lawn. This could be due to foot traffic. However, the biggest thatch creator is a mower without a grass catcher. Even then, some dead grass might still gather in places on the lawn.
Though a thin layer helps shield the lawn from week growth, too many results in damage. To repair this, use a metal-tine rake to remove some. Should there be a large amount of it, consider using a dethatcher to make things right.
With a bit of patience and some sweat equity, you can improve your lawn in a short period. If you still encounter difficulties, reach out to professional landscapers for advice. Before you know it, your lawn will go from the neighborhood’s joke to its centerpiece.
