Lawns are a big part of curb appeal. They are the first thing you see when you look at your home and often what passersby notice as well. Yard maintenance is crucial to making sure your lawn is the envy of the neighborhood!
The lush green lawn you're longing for can be yours with a few lawn care tips and a yard maintenance schedule. Knowing what yard maintenance tasks you need to do and when to execute them will establish a healthy lawn and keep it looking pristine. Whether you take on yard maintenance yourself or hire a professional lawn care service, timing is everything.
The Top Three Lawn Care Tips to Begin Caring for Your Yard
- Weeding
- Fertilizing
- Watering
You can take care of all the recommended yard maintenance and still have a struggling lawn. Fear not, we can help! If you're wondering about the right time to weed, fertilize, and water, read on to see our beginner lawn care tips for a healthy lawn.
The Importance of Weeding Your Lawn
Weeds are unsightly. They sprout up without any warning and when you least expect it. Even when you manage the weeds, weed seeds float through the wind and pop up in your lawn anyway. If only a few weeds sprout up on your lawn, knowing a few lawn care tips and proper timing of your yard maintenance might help get rid of them.
Grass weeds can make your lawn look unkempt and unattractive but can also be the cause of an unhealthy lawn. Several types of weeds could be present in your yard—knowing which weeds and when to remove them will help you prepare and protect your lawn.
Tips to Find and Remove Weeds:
Weeds can be annuals or perennials. Crabgrass is an annual weed that completes its life cycle in a single growing season and then dies, leaving seeds behind. Dandelions are perennial weeds that come back year after year from their roots and distribute new seeds. There are also grass-like weeds such as sedge or false-green kyllinga. To learn more about identifying weeds, check out this post.
A good lawn care tip is to grab the weed by the stem and get as close to the bottom of the weed as possible, then pull upward from the root so that you remove it entirely.
When is the Best Time to Remove Weeds?
When it comes to controlling weeds, the sooner you take care of removing them, the better the chance of achieving a healthy lawn. Regardless of the type of weeds you have, they grow quickly, so it’s best to keep up with removal. The best time to remove weeds is to pull when the soil is soft or damp, after a rain or irrigation, or in the morning while the dew is still on the ground.
The Importance of Fertilizing Your Lawn
Your lawn needs help to get the lush, healthy look many homeowners strive for. When weeds take over your lawn, they take away nutrients your soil and grass needed to maintain their health. The most important nutrients found in soils are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
After you have tended to your weeds, it is recommended to fertilize your lawn. There are several benefits to lawn fertilization, including improving your soil and an overall improvement in your grass's look and health. Without proper lawn care and fertilization, your grass can look dry and patchy.
- Which Products to Use to Fertilize Your Lawn: When selecting a fertilizer, the best lawn care tip is to ensure it has the macronutrients your lawn needs. Using a liquid fertilizer is an excellent idea as it is easy to use, fast-acting, and can function as both a starter and in-season fertilizer.
- When is the Best Time To Fertilize Your Lawn: When it comes to fertilizing your lawn, timing is vital. The best time to fertilize your lawn is when the weather and soil reach 50-60 degrees F for cool-season lawns, and 70-80 degrees F for warm-season lawns. It's important to know when to start your lawn care fertilizing routine because it needs to be when your grass is recovering from the winter's cooler temperatures and begins to grow again during spring temperatures.
The Importance of Watering Your Lawn
Water is essential for a healthy lawn. However, it is possible to use too much water on your grass. Rainwater can also affect how much water you may need to use. With adequate watering practices, you can grow a lush and healthy lawn.
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Why Is Watering Your Lawn Necessary: No matter where you live, your lawn will need some water to stay green throughout the summer months. A healthy lawn needs the proper amount of sunlight, fertilizer, and moisture. It is essential to water regularly unless you live in a rainy climate. I good rule of thumb is to shoot for at least 1 inch but not more than 2 inches of water, including rainfall, per week.
- When is the Best Time To Water Your Lawn: Our best lawn care tip for watering your lawn is to do so early in the morning. As the sun rises, the water will have plenty of time to absorb into the soil before evaporating due to heat from the summer sun. As the day goes on, the sun's heat is too hot for proper water absorption, so it will evaporate too quickly. Avoid nighttime watering, which can encourage disease.
A lush and healthy lawn is every new homeowner's dream. It improves not only the curb appeal but also the value of your home. Like other home maintenance tasks, lawn care requires proper preparation and planning. It takes time and consistent care to get the lush, green lawn you are after. Your grass must get what it needs to thrive during the optimal time frame. Timing your yard maintenance is an essential lawn care tip to get you on your way to having the best lawn in the neighborhood!
