Keeping an evergreen and weed-free lawn takes a lot of time and effort. Not only are you supposed to know how to feed and water the grass, but also how to mow, weed, aerate and dethatch where necessary.
For many homeowners, dealing with weeds is a constant challenge that inconveniences the entire lawn care exercise. Even with the many chemical and organic solutions, some weeds may seem quite persistent.
To help you navigate the weed challenges so you can maintain greener and healthy grass, we’ve rounded up some lawn care tips for you.
Remember, every lawn is different, so you may need to mix and match the tips below to find what works best for you. That said, some lawn care exercises are pretty standard and will apply regardless of your yard’s unique conditions.
Choose the Right Grass
Before you can think of keeping your lawn greener and weed-free, you want to start from the basics. Which grass type suits your local climatic conditions? Are cool-season or warm-season grasses the right ones for your lawn?
If you live in the warmer southern regions, grasses such as Bahia grass, Zoysia grass, and Bermuda grass would be a perfect fit. On the other hand, cool-season grasses do well in the northern regions. These include Ryegrass, Fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass.
The key to success is to talk with the local Cooperative Extension officer and get advice on the best grass types that do well in your region. That way, you’ll plant the right grasses supported by your area’s weather and soil conditions.
Mow Your Lawn at the Right Height and Interval
Mowing your lawn at the correct intervals helps keep them denser and better able to resist certain types of weeds. Scalping the lawn makes it susceptible to pests and diseases. You always want to set the height of the mower deck at about 2 to 3 inches tall. The taller the grass, the better it will shade out weed seeds, preventing them from germinating.
When mowing your lawn, also consider alternating the mowing pattern at a 45 to 90-degree angle. This is necessary to prevent soil compaction and also help the grass grow upright. Similarly, always keep the mower blades sharp to ensure a clean cut and a rejuvenated green lawn.
Feed and Water the Lawn Accordingly
Every green and beautiful-looking lawn needs the right amounts of nutrients and water. Many homeowners make the mistake of overwatering their lawn or applying too many fertilizers. Before starting a fertilizer or irrigation program, you first need to consult a professional. Here, you’ll need to run a soil test to know the correct blend of nutrients your lawn needs. For instance, if the soils are super alkaline or acidic, you may need to apply lime, iron, or magnesium.
As far as watering is concerned, you want to go for deep but infrequent irrigation. Adequate moisture for the grass is what you need to promote healthy and deeper roots. Too much water soaking in your lawn can encourage the outbreak of pests and diseases.
Know the Types of Weeds and Control Them Appropriately
Weed control in the lawn and backyard is a cause for concern among many homeowners. Not many people really understand the anatomy of lawn weeds. So there’s a widespread misconception on what to do and what to avoid. That said, there are two main types of weeds found in most lawns — annual and perennial weeds. Annual weeds die at the end of the growing season, but they produce new weeds from their seeds.
Controlling perennial weeds is easier. All you need is to mow regularly to prevent them from being mature enough to flower and produce seeds. Even then, this will only prevent them from multiplying, but the weeds will still grow. So a better alternative to getting rid of perennial weeds is to uproot them from the ground before they flower. You can also use an environment-friendly herbicide.
For annual weeds that can escape mowing, typically by growing flat to the ground, the best solution is to pull them by the roots. Or by using the right choice of herbicides. Most herbicides are labeled for certain types of weeds. Some are specific to the weed’s growth stages, and if not used correctly, they may not be effective.
Get Help Where Necessary
Now that you know how to keep the grass green and healthy, you want to commit to a schedule where you can actively take care of your lawn. If you have the time to weed, water, and feed your grass, you’ll sure enjoy getting your hands dirty once in a while to get the job done.
However, if your weekend schedule is always full, you may want to partner with a lawn care services company. Here, you’ll benefit from professional lawn care services and advice that will help keep your lawn green and weed-free, all-year long.
