Now that spring is officially here and things are starting to thaw out, it’s time to evaluate your lawn situation. Here are 5 ways to make sure that your lawn stays the healthiest it can.
Don’t over-fertilize. It can be easy to think that the more fertilizer you use, the healthier your grass will grow. In fact, too much of one of fertilizer’s main ingredients, nitrogen, can actually burn the grass. Fertilize just twice a year, in the spring and fall. Plus, make sure you get the right formulation for your grass and soil type.
Rake your lawn. Raking isn’t just for fall. Once the snow has melted and the ground is dry, lightly running a rake over your lawn will dislodge the dead grass and make more room for new growth.
Mow at the right time of day. Surprise—there is a right time of day to mow your lawn. In the morning, dew weighs grass down, making it difficult to cut. In the warmer months, though, noon is also a bad time to mow. The heat combined with cutting can stress your lawn. Instead, try cutting your grass in the late afternoon and evening.
Let your grass grow. The longer the grass, the deeper the roots and the deeper the roots, the hardier your grass will be against problems like droughts, pests, and diseases. So keeping your grass slightly higher than usual may actually make for a lusher lawn.
Don’t water every day. Watering too often and for too short a period of time encourages grass to grow shallow roots, meaning that they’ll need to be watered frequently to survive. Instead, water just once or twice a week for about an hour in the morning or evening, to give the water the best chance at penetrating deep into the soil.
