Spring means it’s time to focus on your yard – and specifically on your lawn! The cost of keeping grass green and healthy can add up – but a bit of basic information can help you save money while maintaining an attractive lawn.
The best lawns have the healthiest, deepest root systems. Paying particular attention to the following aspects of lawn care will help those roots to thrive!
Watering
Watering properly helps you save money. A robust root system needs – and stores – the water that sustains the lawn. Healthy lawns can survive moderate droughts because, although the surface may be dry, the roots still have access to moisture.
Effective lawn watering:
- Water your grass only when it’s difficult to push a stick 4-6 inches into your lawn, where the roots are.
- When it’s dry, water your lawn heavily – but not so heavily that the water runs off. Turn off your sprinkler briefly if you notice puddles in your lawn; puddles indicate that the water is flowing faster than the soil can absorb it.
- Water at the coolest time of day so that less water is lost to evaporation and more will penetrate the ground.
Mowing
On top of keeping it looking tidy, mowing properly can save you money on water, keep your lawn’s roots healthy and help cut back on weeds.
Lawn mowing best practices:
- A rule of thumb is to cut 1/3 the length of the grass when mowing. When grass has a bit of length, it provides a measure of shade for itself, helping to maintain the moisture in the soil beneath which supports vigorous root health. Longer grass also discourages weed growth.
- Avoid mowing during the hottest hours of the day; doing so can damage your grass.
- Mowing wet grass can damage your mower.
- Mow in a variety of patterns to avoid soil compaction which can choke the roots.
Fertilizing
Fertilizer ensures healthy nutrition for your lawn. Proper fertilization up to four times per year makes for the healthiest lawn possible.
Lawn fertilizer facts:
Fertilizers contain three main ingredients, represented by numbers listed on their packaging. The amounts of these components will help you choose the appropriate fertilizer for your lawn’s needs.
- The first number indicates the amount of nitrogen, which keeps the lawn green.
- The second number indicates the amount of phosphorus, which strengthens roots.
- The third number indicates the amount of potassium, which helps the grass fight off disease and survive heat and arid conditions.
- Slow-release fertilizer will feed your lawn over a longer period of time than quick-release.
- Applying fertilizer when the weather is too hot may result in chemically burned grass.
- Water the lawn after fertilizing to minimize its contact with the grass itself and to deliver it into the soil where it can be absorbed by the roots.
Lawn weed control
As mentioned earlier, the healthier the lawn and the more appropriate its length, the fewer the weeds. Weeds are more than unattractive – they choke out desirable grass.
Lawn weed wisdom:
- Many weeds – especially larger ones – are best pulled out by hand.
- If you opt for a chemical weed killer, make certain that it’s specifically for use on the lawn so it doesn’t also kill your grass.
- Apply weed control when the wind is calm so it doesn’t accidentally get blown onto desirable plants.
When it comes to your yard, it’s yet another case of knowledge empowering you to save money. By attending to of these aspects of lawn care, you’ll make great strides toward healthy grass and healthy savings on your yard maintenance costs.
How do you save on lawn care?
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