Planting and maintaining lush green grass in the yard should be done with love. Although it takes time and effort before you can enjoy the results, in the end your hard work will pay off. Do a soil test to find out how much fertilizer your lawn needs. If you don't start from scratch, you can fertilize in the second half of the year. Water the newly sown plots daily. For established grass, water only occasionally (in large quantities) to encourage strong root growth. A dull lawn mower will often cause the grass to become brown and unkempt, so make sure to always sharpen it. The grass clippings provide nutrition and help retain moisture. So, you don't have to rush to clean it after mowing the grass.
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Method 1 of 4: Fertilizing
Step 1. Perform a nutrient and soil pH level test every two years
Soil testing lets you know exactly what changes to make to get greener grass. Self-test kits are usually only reliable for measuring pH levels. So, order a lab test kit, take a sample and send it for analysis.
- Use the internet to search for universities or laboratories that offer soil analysis services, or contact an agricultural extension agency in your area.
- In general, cold weather conditions are the best time for sampling. That way, you have plenty of time to receive the results and make the necessary changes before the planting period.
Step 2. Purchase a slow-release fertilizer that meets the needs of the soil
The results of the soil test will tell whether the levels of certain nutrients are low, medium, or high. Bring the results of the analysis to the gardening store before the planting period. Ask them to recommend a fertilizer with a nutrient content that suits your needs.
Choose a slow-release fertilizer so the grass can absorb it for a longer period of time
Step 3. Aerate the lawn before the fertilization process
The aerator will make small holes in the soil surface allowing water, nutrients and air to penetrate the soil much deeper. Aerate the lawn in the early months or towards the end of the year, and make sure you do so before fertilizing.
Step 4. Fertilize in the months leading up to the end of the year
The best time to fertilize is towards the end of the year, especially if the grass is well established. During this period the grass will absorb nutrients and store them during the dry season.
- Spread the fertilizer evenly over the lawn according to the directions on the package. Do not fertilize too much because the grass can die.
- If you see dry patches in your yard or you need to do a soil test, apply a slow-release fertilizer one more time towards the middle of the year. If the yard has a good density, you don't need to fertilize in the early months.
Step 5. Adjust the soil pH if it is too high or too low
Grass grows best with a pH between 6-7.2. If the test results show the soil pH is outside this range, you will need to add lime to increase the pH or sulfur to lower it.
The months leading up to the end of the year are the best time to improve pH levels because lime and sulfur take several months to work
Method 2 of 4: Planting Seeds or Grass Plates
Step 1. Choose a grass seed variety that is suitable for the area where you live
Whether you're planting grass in vacant yards or planting seedlings in dry patches, you'll need seeds that are appropriate for where you live. Gardening shops can help you choose the right species.
- If you don't know what type of grass you have, try using a reference resource such as this one provided by Purdue University.
- You can also contact your local nursery and ask if you can bring a sample for help identifying it.
Step 2. Plant a lawn suitable for the climate in your area
Head to your local nursery or gardening store for help choosing the most suitable lawn slab. Plow and loosen the soil, increase the slope of the lawn, then spread the lawn. Make sure you don't leave any empty areas when unrolling the grass.
Water the grass well after planting and keep the grass moist for a week. After a week, you can simply water it every other day for 2-3 weeks
Step 3. Replant the seedlings when the weather is cooler
Whether you fill in the blanks or start from scratch, seedlings have the best chance of sprouting if planted in the early months or towards the end of the year. Planting seeds during the dry season is a complete waste of time and money. Seedlings will not survive if the weather is very hot and dry.
Step 4. Don't plant too many seeds
Sow the seeds evenly after correcting soil conditions. Aim to achieve a concentration of 15 seedlings per 6.5 cm². If you plant too many seeds, there will be too many plants competing for nutrients.
Method 3 of 4: Watering Properly
Step 1. Water the newly planted seedlings 1-2 times a day
You should water the newly planted plot or lawn more often than the established lawn. Try to keep the newly planted area moist until the grass grows, and watering 1-2 times a day.
Step 2. Water more and less often
If you water an established grass daily, it will not have a chance to develop a strong root system. Try watering for 30 minutes, then stick a shovel into the grass to see how deep the water penetrates into the soil. Try to penetrate a depth of about 10-15 cm.
- Adjust the watering time based on the shovel test results. Once you know how long it will take to reach the best depth, you can set the time for the automatic sprinkler.
- The frequency of watering will depend on soil and weather conditions, but 1-2 times a week should suffice. Sandy soil can be watered more often than dense soil. If the weather is dry, you may need to water every 2-3 days.
Step 3. Water the grass in the morning
The ideal time to water the lawn is in the morning. With the condition of the sun that is not too hot and the temperature is still cool, the water will experience natural evapotranspiration, and does not just evaporate before it can be absorbed by the soil. Then the sun gets hotter as the morning approaches and will dry out the leaves, which helps prevent disease and mildew.
Method 4 of 4: Mowing the Grass
Step 1. Make sure the blades of the lawn mower are always sharp
Check the knife regularly and sharpen it whenever needed (usually after 15-20 hours of use). Dull blades burn more fuel and cut grass roughly. If the tips of the grass look tanned and uneven, it's likely that the grass is under stress from shredding.
Step 2. Try mowing the grass in a different direction
It's best not to follow the same pattern every time you mow the lawn. Instead, vary the direction of the mowing so the soil doesn't become compacted. In addition, varying the direction of cutting also helps the grass stand upright, not tilted in the direction you normally cut it.
For example, cut from east to west the first time, from north to south a second time, and from northwest to southeast a third time
Step 3. Don't cut the grass too short
Set the mower on the height setting and try to keep the grass about 7.5-9 cm. The taller grass helps shade the roots, retain moisture, and prevent weed growth.
Some types of grass should be cut short. So, look online or at your local nursery to find out the ideal height for your lawn
Step 4. Just leave the remaining grass clippings in place
No need to pick up trash bags! The grass clippings left alone will serve as nutrient-rich mulch and help retain the moisture in the grass. In addition, these grass clippings will also reduce water use and keep the grass green. If grass clippings accumulate in an area, use a rake to level it out.
Do not mow the grass when it is wet and clean the grass clippings if it is too dense and wet. Wet grass clippings that accumulate in an area will suffocate the grass underneath
Tips
- Remove annoying broadleaf weeds or other weeds using pre-emergence and post-emergence weed killers.
- Check for a thick thatch layer that should be cleaned before aerating the lawn.
- Do not mow the grass when it is wet. Wait for it to dry before cutting it.
- You may notice that some areas of the yard are not getting enough sun or have other issues that are inhibiting the growth of the grass. If you've tried everything to no avail, consider planting shade-tolerant plants or placing hard elements on the hard-to-treat plot.
- Some climates are too dry to sustain healthy grass and you may have limited water during the dry season. Try to replace the grass with drought tolerant plants. Alternatively, you can apply a non-phytotoxic pigment-based treatment, a method that is very popular in drought-affected areas.
