Many homeowners prefer to save money on lawn maintenance by mowing and edging their own lawn. However, it can quickly become wearying when your lawn maintenance is overshadowed by weeds and struggling grass. But, with consistent effort, you can create a healthy, green lawn.
Effective lawn care involves several factors. Based on your experience level, budget and time constraints, you can execute these steps on your own or hire an Augusta GA lawn care service to handle some – or all – of your lawn’s comprehensive care.
1. Weekly Grass Mowing
The first step toward a thriving grass is regular lawn mowing. Regular lawn care includes mowing your lawn once per week in the spring and summer. Depending on the weather and climate, you may need to adjust your lawn care routine. It is also important to choose the time of day that you mow. Experts recommend mowing lawns in the evening, when your grass is less moist. In most instances, you should cut only one-third of the grass blade’s height each mowing session. Cutting your grass shorter than this can cause unnecessary stress on your lawn and result in browning.
2. Run Your Sprinklers in the Morning
The next essential ingredient for a healthy lawn is water. It is not necessary to water your lawn daily, especially when you are using an irrigation system. A good watering schedule is two to three times per week. Ideally, watering should be done between 6 – 10 AM. Watering during the middle of the day or at night will be less effective. A lawn care professional can help you determine the ideal amount of water for your grass type and climate.
4. Include Fertilizer in Your Lawn Care Routine
To ensure the grass is greener on your side of the fence, it’s important to fertilize your lawn. Home improvement stores offer a variety of fertilizer types. Some online research should help you determine which type of fertilizer is best for your grass. If fertilizing your lawn seems overwhelming, a lawn care company that specializes in lawn fertilization and weed control can create a custom fertilization plan for your grass, to help it stay healthy and green.
5. Invest In Weed Management
Most homeowners find it difficult to keep weeds from their lawns. Some basic lawn maintenance principles can help prevent weeds from growing out of control. You can help weeds stay away by mowing your lawn weekly, fertilizing, and deep watering. Crabgrass and broadleaf are two of the most annoying weeds. These weeds are notoriously difficult to kill so it may be less frustrating to outsource your weed control to a lawn treatment services company. A lawn care professional will apply a precise herbicide formula to kill weeds and not damage your lawn in the spring.
6. Train Your Pets to Use a Limited Area
Your lawn may be negatively impacted by your dog. Pet owners often find yellow or dead spots on their lawns. These areas are likely where your pet prefers to use the bathroom. This can cause a problem in otherwise healthy lawns. There are ways to prevent your dog from ruining your lawn’s hard work. Teaching your dog to use a particular area of your lawn to relieve themselves is possible. You can designate your pet’s spot in any area of your yard, but ideally it should be in an inconspicuous area. Begin by taking your pet to the bathroom area on a leash. Reward them for using the new space. Over time, your pet will associate this area of your yard as the appropriate location for relieving him or herself.
7. Get a Soil Analysis
Learn how to maintain your lawn’s beauty year after year. Although fertilizer, watering, and mowing can produce great results, some lawns are more stubborn than others. If you have difficulty maintaining a beautiful yard, it is worth having your soil tested. A soil test can give you information about your soil’s health and what you can do to improve it. These tests will show you the soil’s pH balance and nutrient levels.
8. Reseed Sparse Areas of the Lawn
Reseeding is good if your lawn looks patchy in some areas and lush in others. Reseeding is also necessary for lawn spots that have become overgrown with weeds. Begin the reseeding process by killing all weeds using a powerful herbicide. Next, select a hardy grass variety that is suited to your climate zone. To prepare the soil for seeding, rake and aerate it. Spread the seed using your spreader. Water daily until your grass grows to approximately two inches.
9. Keep your Mower in Top Condition
For a perfect lawn, the last tip is to take care of your lawnmower. When it comes to a beautiful lawn, your lawnmower will be the most difficult tool in your garden. Sharpen your lawnmower’s blades. This can be a dangerous job that requires a professional sharpener. To prevent rust from building up, clean the undercarriage every time you use your mower to keep it running smoothly. A professional lawnmower technician should perform a yearly tune-up to maintain a strong performance.
Find the Right Professional for Your Lawn
An experienced Augusta GA lawn care service can help take some – or all – of this work off of your plate. While some lawn care companies specialize in lawn maintenance, others specialize in landscape design and others – like Matthews Turf Management – specialize in lawn fertilization and weed control. Matthews serves residential and commercial properties in the greater Augusta, GA, area, including Evans, Grovetown & Martinez, GA, and North Augusta & Aiken, SC.
