When you own a home, there are few things more coveted than a lush landscape complete with a beautiful lawn. But how exactly do you get green grass, how quickly does grass grow, and how often should you plan to mow? Read on for expert lawn care tips and top-rated lawn and garden products that will help get your grass in gear for impromptu barbecues and beyond this spring.
What is the secret to a perfect lawn?
It’s hard not to feel disheartened when you walk out the door or drive up to your house and are met with large patches of frail, dry grass — especially when spring emerges and people tend to spend more time with friends and family outdoors. But Bob Mann, a technical expert for the National Association of Landscape Professionals and one of the nation’s leading lawn care experts, would challenge you to set aside your notions of what a lawn should look like and try to “embrace the brown.”
As Mann explained it, “your lawn has a built-in protection mechanism: dormancy.” He noted that grass tends to react to excessive heat and a lack of moisture by stopping growth. “Unfortunately, this also means that it turns brown for a while until things get cooler and wetter.”
What is the fastest way to grow grass?
While there’s no definitive timeline for how long it will take to get your grass back (some experts estimate 3-4 weeks), Mann assured us that “in almost all cases, your lawn will wake up just fine.”
That said, it doesn’t hurt to show your lawn a little TLC in the process, so we asked Mann for a breakdown of some steps you can take right now to set your grass up for success this summer. These five lawn care tips and essential products will ensure the grass remains greener (and fuller and healthier) on your side of the fence all season long.
1. Do a soil test
Amazon
This kit provides instructions and a prepaid envelope so it’s a cinch to take your own soil sample and mail it to MySoil’s lab for testing. In six to eight days, you’ll receive a link to your online results, plus personalized recommendations for organic and synthetic fertilizers. So easy!
To get to the root of your lawn’s health, you’ve got to assess the state of the soil. That means doing a soil test.
“Think of it this way: when you go to the doctor, the first thing she does is to order tests to see what’s going on inside your body and outside her view,” said Mann.
He tells Yahoo Life that a soil test does the same thing — it tells you what your lawn needs to thrive. A soil test can determine things like your soil’s pH level, nutrient deficiencies and other fertility factors. Mann told Yahoo Life a soil test should ideally be done in a laboratory. “That’s going to give you a great deal of information about the health of the soil that you have and a roadmap to proceed,” he said.
If you’d rather take care of it yourself, you can get an inexpensive DIY soil test kit like this one at Amazon. It includes four test tubes and a tube stand plus complete instructions that anyone can follow regardless of experience. Just grab a garden trowel and a bucket, and get digging!
2. Fertilize according to your lawn’s specific needs
Amazon
This liquid lawn food can be used to nourish any type of grass and is specifically formulated for the spring and summer months. Reviewers say it’s especially effective in regions with very hot summers.
When it comes to fertilizer, timing is everything. “Wait until you see new green tissue (leaves) before applying and only in accordance with the results of your soil test,” says Mann. “What you want to avoid is applying fertilizer too early when the plants are still dormant and not able to take up the fertilizer by their roots.”
He notes that the U.S. has so many different climates, there’s no one-date-fits-all approach here. That’s why you should use the results of your specific soil test to determine the nutrient needs of your lawn — in other words, which and how much fertilizer is needed. “You may be surprised how little fertilizer is necessary to achieve excellent results. Fertilizer timing is critical as well,” he says.
3. Irrigate your lawn with intention
Amazon
This Amazon customer favorite waters your lawn on autopilot and waters a space of up to 3,000 square feet evenly, helping to give your lawn proper hydration over the long haul. Reviewers also say it’s easy to install and adjust.
It can be tempting to power up the hose in an effort to expedite growth, but Mann cautions against making any sudden moves at this time of year. “If you’ve been irrigating all along, keep doing it — but make sure you are watering wisely and only when needed,” he said. “Likewise, if you haven’t been watering regularly, starting when it gets super hot isn’t going to help all that much.”
He also encourages watering your lawn deeper and less frequently versus the other way around: when you water less frequently, roots respond by drilling deeper into the soil looking for water; when you water more deeply, it gets into the soil and is less apt to evaporate.
In the warmer weather especially, the NALP recommends watering your lawn in the early mornings or evenings after sunset to minimize evaporation. Put the task of watering on autopilot with the set-it-and-forget-it Rain Bird 32ETI In-Ground Automatic Sprinkler System Kit.
“I was quoted 3k for an irrigation system. Bought this kit and although it took some trenching, the system works great. It exceeded my expectations. It is providing full coverage. The parts are of good quality, easy to understand and operate. I do not foresee any trouble up ahead. I would highly recommend it!” wrote one verified customer.
4. Don’t over-mow your grass
Walmart
This electric mower is eco-friendly (no gas or oil!). Its 12-amp motor also means you’ll never run out of power, and it features a 18-inch cutting path with 7 different cutting heights.
When it comes to cutting your grass, Mann says taller is generally better. Back in the fall, the expert admonished us not to “scalp” our lawns and the same applies now, as cutting grass too short eliminates the tips of the blades, which conduct photosynthesis.
“Using the highest setting on your mower will help preserve roots, keeping the soil surface cooler and less prone to weed germination,” he added.
For a hardworking mower that gets the job done, check out the Greenworks 12 Amp 18-Inch Electric Corded Lawn Mower, which is among Amazon’s top sellers with more than 8,300 five-star reviews.
“Very convenient and easy for a 69-year-old semi-disabled female (5’5″ tall 168 lbs.) to operate,” wrote one reviewer. “Just push the button, pull up on the handle lever and off you go.”
5. Protect your lawn from weed and insect damage
“Scouting is key in the summer to detect damaging populations of insects, weeds and diseases,” says Mann. He recommends hiring professionals to treat your lawn, as “they know what to look for and how to repair the damage.”
If you’re determined to go the DIY route, a little research can also go a long way. According to Mann, you’ll want to “educate yourself of which weeds, insects and diseases you’re dealing with, so that you can select the proper product and technique to get effective control.”
Top products for protecting your lawn
Amazon
Containing natural white vinegar, organic rock salt, biodegradable plant activators and fermentation-derived co-factors, the formula also guarantees results within 24 hours.
According to Mann, the best way to ward off weeds is to maintain a lawn that’s so thick, there’s no room for them to grow. If you’re dealing with an overgrown situation, consider this kid- and pet-safe weed killer from Eco Garden your new secret weapon.
The Home Depot
Toss out those zappers, foggers and toxic bug sprays! Mighty Mint’s plant-derived concentrates rely on natural ingredients and powerful essential oils like peppermint oil, which repels insects.
For pest control, Amazon shoppers adore Wondercide EcoTreat Outdoor Pest Control Spray Concentrate. It eliminates all kinds of critters — from chinch bugs to Japanese beetles — that are notorious for eating away at all of your hard work.
Lowe’s
Scoop up this fungicide to say goodbye to fungus, Brown Patch, Stem and Stripe Rust, Red Thread, Powdery Mildew, Necrotic Ring Spot, Summer Patch, Yellow Patch and more.
The top-rated Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide takes on the myriad of bio-invaders that threaten your lawn. And a 10-pound bag — enough to cover 5,000 square feet — should be all you need.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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