Lawn Care 101: How to Weed, Seed, Feed, Mow, & Water Your Lawn

raking the lawn for leaves

Sure, everyone wants their lawn to be the talk of the town. However, in order to get there and be the undisputed champion of luscious lawns, you need to put in some work. A healthy and green lawn needs to be regularly taken care of and if you are not sure what that actually entails, we’re here to help. This little guide will tell you everything you need to know when it comes to lawn maintenance, from seeding and feeding to mowing and weeding. Take a look.

Seeding: Choose the Right Type

The first and probably most important step is choosing the correct variety of grass. Doing this will allow the lawn to really shine as every grass type has its own preferences and thrives in different conditions. You should be aware of which species do best in your area and get seeds according to that.

With that in mind, there are two main types of grass – cool-season and warm-season grass. Some cold-season grasses you can look into include annual and perennial ryegrass, fine and tall fescue and creeping bentgrass, while carpetgrass, zoysiagrass and bermudagrass are some of the warm-season species.

Feeding: Don’t Overdo It

Fertilization is necessary for your lawn to be healthy; however, how to do it usually depends on the type of grass. It would be best to consult an expert or look online to see how the grass you chose should be fertilized. That said, there are some things most grasses have in common.

To prepare for the winter, you should use a slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of fall. This will allow the grass to have various nutrients even during the cold period of the year. Moreover, some cold-season sorts benefit from late fall feedings, while some warm varieties can even be fed during summer.

However, do keep in mind that you should not over-fertilize your lawn either. This can result in slow to no growth at all, as well as yellowing and rotting.

Watering: Time It Just Right

multi nozzle lawn irrigator

In addition to fertilization, watering at the right time is also vital. It is recommended to water early in the morning seeing as how the sun is less likely to dry the grass super quickly and the soil will have a chance to absorb the water. All of this will lessen the chances of the grass developing a disease. Furthermore, avoid watering at night because the prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to issues, as well as during the afternoon when there is a chance the water can evaporate before it can be absorbed.

It’s also important to keep in mind that you don’t need to water the lawn a little bit every day. Giving it a good soak a few times a week should be enough, as lawns usually need around an inch of water per week. However, in case you don’t have too much time to dedicate to this chore and you happen to live in a dry climate area, it’s good to know that there are still options. For instance, there are drought-tolerant types of grass, such as the previously mentioned zoysia and tall fescue, which are quite resilient when subjected to these conditions.

Weeding: Be Thorough

To have an impeccable lawn, you cannot allow weeds to ruin its look. This is why it’s essential to act on time when it comes to removing the problem. Many broadleaf weeds spread quite quickly and are relentless. Clover, dandelions and dollarweed are just some you can encounter.

To prevent them from overtaking your lawn, look into weed killers which are most effective when it comes to your problem and decide whether you prefer organic or chemical solutions. However, make sure that the conditions are optimal before you apply any products. For example, the lawn should be wet or at least moist, which is why you can use the morning dew to your advantage. Also, spring and fall are the best seasons for this activity.

Additionally, most lawns need aeration in order to loosen up the soil a little bit. Seeing as how aeration is best done when the soil is most, this is also a great time to apply some weed preventers and deal with these pesky plants before they even show up and become an issue.

Mowing: Don’t Go Too Short

perfect lawn mowing

The last part of this humble how-to guide refers to mowing your lawn. While the height usually depends on the variety of grass you chose, the general rule is not to go too short, especially during summer. Always aim at removing a third of the height, to avoid it being scorched by the sun. Mowing should be done once or twice a week. Plus, if you leave the clippings on the lawn and later on add some compost, you might not need to use too much fertilizer.

In order to mow the grass correctly, you also need to pay attention to your equipment. Ensure the blades are sharp and balanced. Regularly clean the mower and be mindful of the condition of the equipment.

Having and maintaining a healthy and aesthetically pleasing lawn isn’t easy, but it needn’t be too hard either. Especially if you consider the maintenance concepts we’ve stated above. Make sure you select the right variety of grass, learn about how much water and nutrients it needs, how to get rid of weeds and how to mow it properly. If you do your research about all these factors, your lawn is bound to shine.

About Amanda

I love to buy a lot of products for the home, and dissect them out. I split them into duds and winners, and share the findings here on my site. As a reader of my site, I'm aiming for your next purchase to be an informed and inspired one.

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