5 Secrets to the Perfect Lawn

Luscious, green lawns are the epitome of summertime. There's nothing like lying on a freshly cut lawn, enjoying the smell of grass and watching the clouds drift by overhead. But achieving the perfect lawn takes more than just sticking a hose in the ground and letting 'er rip. Here are five secrets to getting your lawn looking its best.

Water

If you are having problems with the health of your lawn, you may want to pay attention to its watering habits. Without the right amount of water, your grass may look dry or even blue. These colors are not what we think of as a perfect lawn. A simple test to determine if your grass needs watering is to poke a screwdriver about three to four inches deep into the grass. If the surface is dry, you may want to turn on the sprinklers to provide the proper moisture.

Watering your lawn on a daily basis is a great way to keep it healthy and looking its best. The earlier you water it, the less likely it will dry out, making it prone to disease and weeds. Watering your lawn early in the morning is the best time because the air temperature and wind are cooler at this time of day. Watering it before noon is also a good time because there is less evaporation at this time of day.

Fertilization

Fertilization is essential to the health of your lawn. Most of the soil in the southern United States doesn't contain natural organic matter or nutrient-rich soil, which results in a higher risk of weeds and insects. It also leads to increased runoff and erosion. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to fertilize your lawn.

One way to know exactly how much fertilizer your lawn needs is to perform a soil test. By doing this, you can find out how much you should apply and when. Knowing how much fertilizer to apply will help prevent common lawn problems, such as lawn fungus and grubs. However, you must be careful when choosing a fertilizer to avoid overfeeding.

Height

Maintaining the height of your lawn is an important part of lawn care. It is a great way to increase the appeal of your property, and the right height of grass is essential to maintain the beauty of your lawn. With the right amount of care, you can transform your lawn from a boring, brown lawn to a lush, golf course green in a single season.

Weed control

Using a chemical weed killer is one of the most common ways to control weeds, but it will only work temporarily. If you're able to spot weeds early enough, you can use a pre-emergent product. Pre-emergent weed killers can be purchased at your local hardware store or on Amazon. You may need to repeat this step as necessary until the weeds are completely gone.

Weed control is essential for the aesthetic look of your lawn. Using a pre-emergent herbicide will kill weed seeds before they germinate and start growing. This prevents invasive species, like crabgrass, from establishing their roots in your lawn. Another way to control weeds is to use a post-emergent herbicide, which is usually applied to the entire lawn to kill any weeds already established.

Herbicides

Herbicides are used to control weeds on your lawn. Choosing the right herbicide depends on the type of weed you're trying to kill. Selective herbicides kill only the weeds and don't damage nearby plants. On the other hand, non-selective herbicides kill all plants, including those growing in cracks in your driveway. Herbicides also differ in the duration of their action. Selective herbicides kill weeds in a short period of time, while non-persistent ones kill weeds for a long period of time and prevent them from growing back.

Herbicides come in two types - granular and liquid. Granular herbicides are easier to use and don't require mixing. However, the application date depends on the climate and weather conditions in your area. It is advisable to read the label carefully.