A luscious lawn is a beautiful sight to behold. Not only can it enhance your outdoor space, but it can also improve your curb appeal. In turn, it helps add value to your home.
So, why is it that so many lawns are sparse, yellowing, lumpy, and full of holes? Could it be that many of us are unknowingly destroying our lawns?
Yes, it could! The following will go over a few possible causes.
Watering Lawn Too Often
Yes, a luscious lawn requires water to keep it green and plentiful. However, if you are watering your lawn too often, then you could end up with a lawn that is weak. This can also make it more prone to disease. There are many factors to how often you should be watering. Such as how long you water for each time, your location, and the weather of your area. In most cases, you should only water your lawn one or two times a week. Remember to take rain into account too!
Not Dealing with Pests
If you let pests roam free on your lawn space, then it is only a matter of time before you start to see yellow patches and/or holes. Creatures like moles and skunks are usually the prime suspects, causing holes to begin appearing on your green space. As soon as you notice the tell-tale signs of an animal infestation, try finding a humane way of handling it. Some lay chicken wire, or netting over the lawn to discourage animals to walk in this area.
If the problem persists, book a cruel-free professional. A skunk removal or a rat control visit is recommended in order to handle the problem sooner rather than later. Your lawn will thank you.
Cluttering the Lawn
Just like clutter is bad for your home, it is also bad for your lawn too. When items like children’s toys, pool accessories, dog toys and tools are all over the lawn, it is likely to lead to patches of brown or yellow grass. These occur in the spots where either the roots have not been able to grow upwards, or lack of time in the sun. A quick clean up now, can prevent a lengthy treatment later.
Mowing Too Close
If you are one of those people who tends to mow your lawn as short as it can possibly go, you might want to think again. Why? Because a lawn that is really short cannot photosynthesis as well as a longer lawn. This means, it might have a much smaller lifespan than the average lawn.
Leave your lawn neatly trimmed but with a little bit of height. A good rule of thumb, is the One-Third Rule. You will find that it looks healthier and lives longer than the short lengths in your neighborhood.
Poor Irrigation
If you do not have a good irrigation system in place, your lawn is likely to be either overwatered or not watered enough. Both of which could be disastrous for the state of your grass.
Understandably, it’s not possible for everyone to find the time to care for their lawn as they should. This is why it is often a good idea to have a professional company come in and deal with your irrigation system. They will know exactly what needs to be done to keep your lawn in the best shape.
Walking On Lawn When It’s Wet
If you often walk on your lawn after it has been raining, you could be weakening the soil beneath your lawn. This means, it will have a much more difficult time establishing itself to continue growing healthy and strong. If you can, stay off the lawn until it has dried out. It will look so much more luscious and lovely as a result.
If you must walk on this area of the yard, try to limit how often. You can also create a nice pathway with stepping stones! Not only do they aid in helping your grass stay healthy, but they add a nice aesthetic touch to the area. My childhood home has these between the driveway and the backyard and they are aesthetically pleasing and practical.
Watering at Any Time Other Than Early Morning
Some say, that if you water your lawn in the afternoons or early evenings, then you are more likely to see an infestation of fungus. Or, a dying off of your grass, due to the water being more likely to be evaporated during those times. In turn, your lawn will not get the moisture it needs, or mildew will be formed, which will then feed fungi.
Others, however, have other findings when it comes to this. Saying that early morning, before it gets too warm, is the ideal time to water. Your lawn will be able to absorb the water before the heat evaporates it.
Be sure to also check your city’s/borough’s restrictions! Depending on the area, there may be specific times and days for watering. If you haven’t already, now would be a good time to take a look at your sprinkler timers and adjust them if necessary.
Only Having One Kind of Grass
If your lawn is made up wholly of one type of grass, it is unlikely to be as strong and healthy as it could be. By planting a wide variety of grass seeds, you can lower the risk of disease to your lawn. It also maximizes the amount of time it stays green and lush in!
Some grasses are better for certain climates. According to Progressive:
“Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) do best in Northern climates, while warm-season grasses (St. Augustine, zoysia) fare better in Southern climates.”
Overall, it is worth doing the proper research for your specific area. Recommendations will differ depending on how several factors relate to your area.
As you can see, there are many things that we should, and should not do, in order to maintain a healthy lawn. If you want your lawn to be luscious and green, we’re glad you’re taking the first step in the right direction by doing your research! It is wise to be mindful of your green space.
If you have other tips, tricks and/or advice, please leave a comment to help educate others!
