When it comes to a home's landscaping, nothing is more immediately noticeable than the lawn. Whether you're about to sell or just moved in, everyone wants their house to look good, and grass that is patchy, brown, or full of weeds is sure to lower the home's curb appeal. Luckily, following just a few simple lawn care tips can go a long way toward keeping your grass looking healthy and lush. In this post, you'll learn about the three areas where people make the most mistakes with their lawn according to William Moss, a Chicago-based horticultural educator.
Soak, don't spritz
During dry periods, many people tend to water their lawns for short periods each day; however, this watering pattern leads to shallow roots and less hardy grass. Instead, you should try to give the grass a good soak every 2-3 days in order to get deeper penetration of water into the soil. This will encourage a deeper root structure, making the grass healthier and more drought-resistant. Furthermore, it is more effective to water in the morning when the temperature is still fairly cool, as this reduces evaporation of the water before it can soak down into the ground.
Leave grass taller in summer
The lower you cut your grass, the more stress you put on the it. In dry, hot conditions during the summer, cutting grass too low will make it more likely to die and make it easier for weeds to gain a foothold in your lawn. In contrast, taller grass is better able to withstand drought and crowd out weeds. Moss recommends raising your mower height to 3 inches during the summer, then lowering back down to 2 or 2.5 inches in the fall.
Repair patches ASAP
Although it can be tempting to ignore patches of dead grass, delaying will only make it harder to regrow the lawn in the future. The reason for this is that weeds will begin to grow in the bare area, producing seeds and roots that will spread to nearby healthy grass. The easiest times to grow grass are during the spring and fall, when temperatures aren't as high. Overseed and fertilize the area during these months to rapidly regrow the patch. If you try to regrow in the summer, then be aware that you will need to diligently water that patch; otherwise, wait until cooler weather arrives.
Source: "Here's how to grow a great lawn with beautiful, green grass"
