The heart of every outdoor space is having a beautiful, lush green lawn. However, with beauty, a lot of effort must be put in place.
Lawn care may seem simple, but there are quite a number of factors that will influence the growth, life cycle, and beauty of your lawn.
The goal for most homeowners is to maintain their yards in all conditions; unfortunately, many do not know how to do so. So, whether you’re simply starting or looking for more to improve your lawn, the following information may help you steer in the right direction; stay tuned!
Basics of Lawn Care
Sunlight exposure, moisture, oxygen, temperature, and soil nutrients are some of the basic qualifiers that will impact the quality of your lawn. And most importantly, time. Here are the essential lawn care tips to get you started.
Mowing
Regular mowing your grass is one of the essential care tips for your lawn. Try mowing in the evening to allow grass to retain moisture. Also, remember to mow high, typically only cutting one-third of the grass each time you mow, to reduce the stress on your lawn and to maintain the health of the grassroots.
Additionally, use a sharp mower to ensure your lawn is getting a clean cut. Blunt mowers will negatively impact the health of your lawn.
Fertilizing
As mentioned before, soil nutrients are important for lawn growth. With regular cutting, the grass will need nutrients. So, have a consistent fertilization to encourage grass growth, and remember to utilize fertilizers that are compatible with your lawn and the season.
Weeding
When your grass is strong and healthy, weeds have zero chance of survival. By establishing a good mowing and feeding routine, you can ensure this, making the grass thicker and leaving no room for weeds to grow.
However, if weeds encroach on your lawn, it’s essential to have them removed. You can remove them by hand, but ensure you take them out with the roots to prevent a regrowth. You can also use weed killers, but ensure the weed spray will not take out your grass.
Watering
Always ensure your lawn is getting enough water when it needs it.
Aeration
Aeration allows your lawn to develop a more established root system; at the same time, it helps improve the lawn’s ability to absorb water better.
In-depth Guide to Lawn Care
Now that you know the basics, let’s dive into some in-depth lawn care that will aid the beauty and health of your Franconia, NH, lawn.
Grass Planting
Grass planting tends to be one of the most daunting tasks in lawn care. There’s so much to consider, such as;
- Seed selection – given that a large selection of seeds is available, it’s essential to go for the best possible seed variety that thrives in the climate of Franconia, NH.
- Soil type – the quality and health of your grass heavily depends on your region’s soil type, so begin with a soil test. A soil test shows the pH of the soil, which helps to know the soil’s nutrient level and, in return, will help the homeowner choose fertilizers and make decisions specific to your lawn needs.
- Lawn use – choosing a grass variety that will withstand your home use is important. If your lawn experiences heavy traffic, a more durable and rugged grass variety is best.
- Lawn color and texture – match the grass varieties to your needs and liking. If you like walking barefoot on your lawn, more dense but softer varieties are for you.
Lawn Maintenance
Once your planted grass has taken root, you want to keep it healthy and flourishing. There are many ways to keep a beautiful lawn, but the most important is to tackle lawn care season by season.
Here are a few tips for each season.
Spring
Spring is for new growth. This is the time to give your lawn a healthy start that will withstand the heat of summer.
So, remember to dethatch, apply fertilizer, water your grass when the temperatures become favorable, get rid of weeds, and mow accordingly.
Summer
This is the peak growing season. Due to the heat stress, you may need to supplement the limited natural rainfall with structured watering to help keep moisture in. Additionally, leave the grass clippings when you’re mowing to help retain moisture.
You may not need too much fertilizer because of the summer heat; only apply it to your lawn needs.
Fall
In the autumn, the grass will have a slow growth or slowdown. If you have any dead patches on your lawn, getting them ready for spring growth as early as the beginning of fall is essential. This is also the time to consider mulching to add organic material to the soil.
Winter
The grass is dormant under the snow, especially in this part of town. So, there’s not much you can do for your lawn.
Pest Handling
Another essential lawn care tip is how to handle pests and insects. The key to pest handling is to identify the problematic pest in your lawn, and choose the correct treatment.
Bottomline
Keeping a beautiful lawn is not easy, but it is undoubtedly doable. You can always seek the help of a professional to take care of your lawn if needed. The goal is to have a lush green lawn that you’re proud of all year round.
Need Lawn Care Services in Franconia, NH, and the Surrounding Areas?
Contact Green Acres Landscaping at 603-991-7435. We specialize in high-quality lawn care services. Let’s help you bring back the lush to your lawn!