Tips to a Great Lawn
Remember good soil is the key to a healthy lawn. One of the most important aspects is getting your lawns PH balance right, ideally the lawn’s pH needs to be between 6 1/2 and 7. This is slightly on the acidic side. However if your lawn is too acidic, you will need to give it a slight coating of like and to gain acidity you will have to use sulphur. Best of all these natural remedies cause no environmental impact.
If you are not sure of the pH balance of your lawn, then simply ask for a pH tester from your local garden centre. Some people think it’s worth getting their lawns tested professionally.
Other important lawn care tips include aerating your lawn before you add any fertiliser. This is simple to do with an ordinary garden fork, ensure that the holes are around 10cms deep. This will help greatly with drainage and prevent compacting, it also helps maintain your lawns pH level.
Funnily enough another important check you should make is regarding the grass. Is the type of grass best suited to your area? Locally adapted grass will be much more suited to the climate you live in. Using imported or non-local grass may be an expensive mistake and the results could be much worse if the grass does not adapt to local conditions. It really doesn’t help the environment either by shipping in or buying grass from outside your local area.
Mowing is obviously another very important part of lawncare, it’s generally best done frequently. Usually about once a week during the strong growing months. Don’t mow your lawn too short though, this expose the roots and dries the soil out.
Most grass is happiest and healthiest when between about 3 inches tall, you can configure most of the best electric lawnmower to and exact height. Many of use are used to cutting much shorter and the first time that you are trying to look after your lawn naturally, it may be a shock to have it quite so long, but remember, you are doing your lawn and your environment a favour.
It’s best to water your lawn infrequently, but deeply. By drenching your lawn in this manner, you will help to develop stronger roots, making the grass much tougher and able to withstand droughts.
The best way to determine when it’s time to rewater is to look at the grass. When the grass is duller and footprints are compressed for a little while, then you can water again. You should also aim to give your grass around one inch of water each time you are re-hydrating the grass. As with usual lawn care tasks, the best time to water is in early morning or just before nightfall. This helps prevent evaporation.
If you follow these tips, you will have no need to add pesticides to your lawn that can kill many beautiful insects that actually help your garden to thrive, and to top it off your lawn will be lush, green and the envy of your neighbours.
