Where the Green Grass Grows
Most every homeowner dreams of a beautiful expansive lawn with intense green grass. However, many aren’t aware that, although that green carpet may look deceptively simple, caring for a lawn is hard work and requires some knowledge of how to care for such a landscape. There are alternatives to this type of landscape, but for many of us, there’s just no substitute for the golf course green.
The most effective way to keep grass green is to keep it healthy. There are a number of things homeowner can do to assist in this process. First, mow regularly and at appropriate heights. A lawn that is left to grow for several weeks will become overgrown and scraggly, not to mention that many cities and homeowners’ associations have stringent requirements about overgrown grass. Beyond the unsightly appearance, allowing grass to overgrow shades out and kills shorter grass. Most guidelines recommend that grass be cut when it reaches approximately four inches. Additionally, no more than one third of its height should be cut at one time. Adhering to these guidelines can keep your lawn looking its best.
In addition to cutting at appropriate intervals, it is important to keep your mower blade sharp. A dull blade cut unevenly and tears rather than making a clean cut, leaving a ragged appearance and causing the grass to be susceptible to disease and infestations.
If you desire a specific shade of green, do your homework and choose the proper grass species. Be sure to consider whether the grass you choose is recommended for your Hardiness Zone, the average amount of maintenance required, and the species’ disease resistance.
The next step in keeping a healthy green lawn is to feed and water appropriately. Over or under feeding or watering can wreak havoc on an otherwise healthy lawn. Depending on your climate and the species of grass, you may need to seek a fertilizer with a specific nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium ratio. Your lawn’s watering needs will also be different if you live in a cool rainy climate as compared to a dry arid or hot humid climate. Timing is also important in watering your lawn. When possible, always water in the morning so that grass has time to dry before nightfall. Grass that stays wet for an extended period of time is susceptible to molds, mildews and diseases.
The last recommendation for keeping your lawn green is to eliminate weeds. There are several ways to do this, some more labor intensive than others. A chemical approach with a broad spectrum weed killer can cut down on the time and labor, but may result in an unsightly mess during the time you’re waiting for grass to grow in the dead empty spots. Be cautious when choosing a weed killer for some may damage some types of grass. Of course, the simplest but most time consuming and strenuous method of weed removal is manual extraction. However, this method also leaves empty spaces while waiting for lawn grass to fill in.