Keeping a well-maintained lawn and landscape will not only increase your property value, it also gives you and your family more space to relax and entertain. You may find the process of caring for your lawn a pleasurable job or you may want to hire a professional landscaping and lawncare company to do it for you. Either way, here are a few lawn care tips for a healthy Atlanta lawn all year long.
As long as the ground isn’t too wet or icy, you should mow whenever your grass is growing. Start in the spring by mowing once a week with the blades at the highest setting. When the grass begins to grow faster, lower the blades. If you use a bag, save the clippings to be composted. You may also choose to use a mulching mower, which chops the grass and returns the nutrients to the lawn. Edging and trimming will provide the finishing touch to a well-manicured lawn.
Water your lawn deeply two or three times a week, rather than daily. The best time to water is early in the morning. If you’re watering enough, you should be able to push a six inch screwdriver into your lawn.
The amount of fertilizer you need can vary. It will depend on how rich the underlying soil is and if you occasionally leave clippings on the lawn to help increase nutrients. Lawn fertilizer should be applied multiple times a year to maintain the optimal level of nutrients. Spring and early summer requires fertilizer that is high in nitrogen for leaf growth. Early autumn products are low in nitrogen and high in potassium to help strengthen roots during the winter. A good root system makes a great lawn.
Weed killer is a “must add” in the spring to take out unsightly crab grass and broadleaf weeds. You should repeat the process in early autumn and November to prevent spring weeds. An acidic lawn promotes weed growth and moss. Application of lime in December will raise the ph and neutralize the acid in the soil.
Aeration is the process of mechanically removing small plugs of thatch and soil from the lawn to improve natural soil aeration. Aeration improves the air exchange between the soil and its surrounding atmosphere. Proper lawn aeration can enhance soil water uptake, reduce water runoff, strengthen grass roots, improve resiliency, and enhance drought tolerance. Most lawns will benefit from annual aeration. However, Bermuda and Zoysia grass should be aerated in mid-spring or early summer. Fescue is aerated in the fall along with overseeding to regenerate the grass growth.
Having a healthy, lush, well-maintained lawn adds value to your property and provides the setting for hours of outdoor enjoyment for your family and friends. Be sure to take time to enjoy your lawn this spring!