We get it… your lawn is your pride and joy. It’s the centrepiece of your backyard, and ensuring that it’s healthy, green and lush all year round is high on the list of priorities for any homeowner. From the moment it’s laid, your lawn needs proper care and maintenance, to ensure it’s healthy and growing strong through all seasons. Environmental factors and regular garden pests can compromise your lawn which is why it’s so important to understand how to keep your investment thriving and healthy.
As with most maintenance programs, prevention is key. Keeping an eagle eye out for the slightest threats to your turf, knowing when to water and how to treat common problems will make sure your lawn is kept in tip top condition.
Lawn Care Tip #1 – When and how to water your lawn
Firstly, we highly recommend having a regular watering schedule that maximises absorption and minimises water loss through evaporation. Watering in the morning between 4 and 8 a.m. is optimal, so a sprinkle before at the start of the day is much more beneficial than one after work.
Why do you ask? Well, watering your lawn in the evening promotes prolonged wetness which has been proven to be a breeding ground for destructive lawn diseases.
You should also pay close attention to local rainfall and future weather forecasts and adjust your watering routine accordingly. Again, we don’t want you to over water your lawn, especially during the cooler months.
Water requirements for your lawn are determined by a variety of factors (e.g., plant type and soil moisture levels). Getting a handle on exactly what your lawn requires will help you create a routine that is manageable and aimed to promote the longevity of your turf.
Lawn Care Tip #2 – Time your fertilisation well
Once your lawn fully absorbs the soil’s natural nutrients, it goes without saying that routine fertilisation should be incorporated into your maintenance schedule. To get a handle on exactly what your lawn needs, we recommend testing the soil for nutrients to determine which grass species will thrive based on the soil’s biochemistry (i.e., pH levels).
Always fertilise your lawn during active growth, which will change depending on the grass species. However, working with an advanced liquid fertiliser like Pronto, which has a boost of nitrogen, you can be confident of keeping your lawns vibrant, green and in optimal health.
Lawn Care Tip #3 – Dos and don’ts of mowing
As a rule of thumb, you should only mow your lawn when the grass is dry to get the best quality of cut. Don’t trim it too short, as this might cause stress and browning. As a guide, refrain from trimming more than the top two-thirds of the grass blade.
Don’t forget that your equipment requires maintenance also. Keep your mower blades sharp by performing regular checks. Dull blades will rip the grass, which will be a factor when it comes to the prevalence of lawn diseases.
Lawn Care Tip #4 – Get some air in there
Over time the soil beneath your lawn can become compacted and dense, which is not an ideal when it comes to water and nutrient absorption. Creating holes in the soil to promote aeration is incredibly important, as your lawn may not be getting everything it needs to thrive otherwise.
In clay-like soils, we recommend performing aeration at least once a year, while sandier soil types, since they are less likely to compact, may only need aeration every two to three years.
Another reason for aerating is to allow water and air movement through a built up thatch layer. Grasses that produce lots of leaves quickly like kikuyu and hybrid couches are great at producing thatch.
If you’re having ongoing issues with thatch buildup, you will be developing hydrophobicity where the thatch repels the water from penetrating. That’s why we love Aquaturf. This product helps water penetrate into the soil by modifying the water surface tension, thereby reducing the amount of water and watering needed to maintain a healthy lawn.
Maintaining a lawn can feel a little overwhelming at first, especially when you consider the impact that weather changes, pest infestations and diseases can have on your prized piece of green. However, with the right lawn care solutions and routines in place, you’ll be able to create an easy care maintenance schedule, which will keep your grass green and healthy throughout the year.
Visit The Lawn Shed Today and discover our full range of lawn care products to help you maintain the perfect backyard.
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