Americans are obsessed with lawns. In fact, the lawn is the most grown crop in the United States. This is ironic since people cannot eat grass. Nothing is manufactured from grass. However, Americans spend billions of dollars and countless hours on their lawns each year.

Lawns are the one crop grown in the United States that the sole purpose is to make people look good in front of their neighbors and feel good about themselves. It is not enough to have healthy grass. All it needs to be similar in type. There should be no weeds.

The ideal grass length is 1 1/2 inches tall. Grass should be neatly edged. All of this means that people must dedicate time and energy to care for it. Unfathomable amounts of freshwater are used every year to water grass. Having a nice lawn is the hallmark of American homeownership.

Why Do Americans Put So Much Importance on Lawn Maintenance?

The condition of a homeowner's lawn plays a role in their status within their immediate neighborhood and their community.

Lawns link neighbors together and form neighborhoods. They are an indicator of social and economic character. This becomes an indicator of property value and potential resale value.

In America, lawns show success. They are the physical embodiment of the idea of the American dream. If you have a well-manicured lawn, you are telling the world that you have the leisure time and the financial resources to not only own your home but also keep the grass looking nice.

There is a uniformity to a well-maintained lawn that signifies a desire to belong to the whole. Inasmuch as Americans have a reputation for a maverick-like behavior and a strong sense of individuality, they value belonging to and feeling part of something bigger.

There is a connection between a properly maintained lawn and showing that one is a good neighbor. If you keep your lawn nice, your neighbor keeps their lawns nice. The entire neighborhood will look and feel nice, so home values rise.

In many communities, homeowner associations affect how lawns should be maintained. Their job is to guarantee that the physical representation of a successful status is maintained. If a homeowner's lawn does not meet the standards, serious fines can be levied. Sometimes, ownership of their property could be in jeopardy.

Lawns Are a Relatively Modern Invention

Prior to the Civil War, front lawns were uncommon. If they existed, they were more or less an experiment by the wealthy in revolutionizing their landscape.

Lawns in the United States eventually started to reflect what was seen in Europe as a sign of what success meant. They copied the aesthetics seen in literature and landscape paintings.

Today, there is a massive industry that exists around lawn care and management. The American landscape aesthetic has been transported around the world.

Some have argued that lawns waste precious space that could be used for crops. Time will tell if the American obsession with lawns will continue or if a new trend will appear.

The lawn is one of the first parts of a property that people passing by or visiting notice. A lush, thriving lawn without bare patches and bristling weeds will make your home look fresher and more inviting. There are steps to take in every season of the year to ensure your lawn thrives.

Spring Lawn Care

Winter can be a rough season for your lawn, but an early start in spring can ensure your lawn has a proper beginning to the growing seasons. First, you need a thorough cleaning. This involves removal of dead grass, leaves, and debris. Then, you should test your soil. Grass prefers soil that has a neutral pH of about 6.5 according to the pH scale. 

After that, dethatch for the removal of dead grass. Aerate to provide moisture and oxygen to the soil before application of a pre-emergent which will prevent weed germination. Apply slow-release fertilizer so your lawn has the proper nutrients. Mow regularly as spring gets into full swing and the grass is growing. Turn on an irrigation system if you are not getting plenty of rain. Generally, a lawn needs about an inch of watering a week.

Summer Lawn Care

When temperatures climb into summer's heat, the challenge to keep your lawn well-watered and weed-free becomes greater. Prevent summer's problems in a series of steps, starting with watering at the end of the day, either morning or evening, to prevent the water from evaporating before it can help the lawn. 

Then, be sure you use a combination of spray heads and drip irrigation to maximize hydration. Apply more fertilizer early; you do not want the lawn to grow too dry. Add herbicides and insecticides to your lawn to kill crabgrass, weeds, grubs, and other pests. Finally, maintain a consistent mowing schedule and height according to your climate and your lawn's growth.

Autumn Lawn Care

In fall, your lawn can truly thrive with proper care; the grass experiences better growth in cooler temperatures and develops better systems of roots. Prepare the lawn for the coming cooler weather by seeding the entirety of it, particularly the bare spots. 

When you apply fertilizer, use one that is high in potassium and nitrogen for fall nutrition. Aerate again for moisture and oxygen. Dethatch and rake leaves so that sunlight is capable of reaching the grass. Compost cuttings and leaves for use in the future. Pull weeds, and apply herbicides to prevent a plague of spring weeds. And, as usual, mow and water as necessary.

Winter Lawn Care

In the cold season, grass lies dormant. It does not require so much attention. In early winter, cut the grass short. Remove the remaining leaves, if any. Aerate and fertilize prior to the first frost of the season. And during the winter, avoid walking on the lawn more than is necessary, particularly when frost lies thick on the grass. You do not want to cause undue damage.