When it comes to having a green lawn, it’s not something that’s black and white.
Or should I say green and brown?
A green lawn is a reward for year round commitment and consistency during the growing season. You can’t sporadically throw some fertilizer down mid-June and expect results. Grass is a living organism and needs to be cared for properly in order to thrive. Here’s some of Erbert Lawns’ tips on how to get a green lawn.
1) Aerate, Don’t Power Rake
All lawns have thatch. A thick layer of thatch can block necessary nutrients and water from penetrating the soil below. Too thin of a thatch layer can cause the soil to dry out too quickly and raises the risk of sunburned roots. Ideally you would want thatch to have just the right amount, about 1/2-inch thick, to create a balance. Power Raking is used in the process of dethatching, removing thatch. The process is traumatic for your lawn and if overdone can cause an array of issues. One of those issues being taking away too much thatch and having a very thin layer which makes getting a green lawn very difficult to achieve. Thin thatch isn’t easy to recover from. Those that swear by power raking claim that dethatching is essential to dealing with a thick thatch layer but there is another option.
Aeration is your best bet to breaking up a thick thatch layer without potential damage. At Erbert Lawns we offer a liquid aeration service. Every lawn can benefit from an aeration and we recommend having one in the spring and one in the fall to open up the soil for all the good stuff. Balance in the thatch layer is key to getting a green lawn.
2) Fertilize Regularly But Not Too Much
Grass and plants in general get the nutrients they need for survival from the soil they live in. Fertilizer improves the soil’s quality which leads to a flourishing plant. Fertilizer is food for your lawn. Over time the nutrients get used up and the soil needs another boost. Erbert Lawns has a Weed Wipe-Out & Fertilization Program that includes 8 once a month treatments from March through late October for your lawn to maximize your soil quality year round. Don’t skip out on the pre-winter round of fertilizer. Hibernation is just around the corner and grass needs to soak up as much nutrients as it can in preparation for a long sleep.
Too much fertilizer at once can cause major issues and even kill your grass. This is another aspect that requires balance when trying to get a green lawn.
3) Water Appropriately
Watering is another part of lawn care that requires balance. Too little and the grass shrivels up and turns yellow indicating it’s on its way to Deathville. Too much watering and your lawn will become oversaturated and suffocate under all the water. You need to water long enough to penetrate deeply into the soil but no more than 3 times a week. Erbert Lawns recommends a watering time of 15 minutes (I tried to remember the recommendations but please fix if they are off or if they have changed). It is also best to water in the early morning, especially in the summer. Watering during the day can cause a lot of the water to be evaporated, thus not penetrating deeply into the soil.
4) Treat Weeds Early On
Excessive weeds in a lawn are an indication of poor health. Weeds require little to nothing to thrive and can fill in the bare spots in your lawn. Weeds can take over and prevent the grass roots from expanding. Ideally you wouldn’t have bare spots and shallow roots but we all have to start somewhere. If you see a weed pop up make sure to deal with it as soon as you can. It is a lot more difficult and expensive to deal with a large weed than a small one. Removal of weeds by hand pulling or with an herbicide treatment will open up the soil for the grass roots to expand.
5) Stop Crabgrass Before It Starts
Lawn lovers like soft plush grass that kids and pets can roll around on. Crabgrass isn’t one of those grasses. It is rougher to touch and quite the eye sore. Since it is a grass, crabgrass cannot be treated like weeds. Crabgrass germinates when the soil temperature is above 59 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 days. With your first fertilizer treatment in early spring be sure to include a pre-emergent. This will prevent crabgrass seeds from germinating and when late spring comes you won’t even have to worry about it!
6) Don’t Get Behind On Mowing
When you take care of your lawn it will grow. It will keep growing as long as its ideal conditions are met. Weekly mowing prevents overgrowth. The clippings left behind after a mow give nutrients back to the grass but if too long they will clump up and create a thick thatch layer. Adjusting the mower to 3 inches before every weekly cut will keep the roots from getting burned and also prevent clumping. Grass has rapid growth during the spring, slows down in the summer and begins rapidly growing again in the fall. During rapid growth periods you should do your very best to not skip out on a mow.
You now have half a dozen tips to aid in getting a green lawn. Erbert Lawns is your partner in all things lawn care and can help you tackle these essentials. Call or text us today 303-948-6631 and make your neighbors green with envy!
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