It’s every homeowner’s holy grail: That lush, evenly green lawn you’ve been dreaming of actually isn’t too hard to cultivate, even in Texas…you just have to know a few tricks.
Many lawn enthusiasts will recommend using quick fixes like chemical fertilizers, but these provide only short-term results and can wash off in as little as a week or two. The true key to healthy, lasting green grass isn’t actually the health of the grass itself…
It’s All About the Soil
Organisms in the soil are living and need to be fed and aerated. When your soil is healthy, your grass will naturally be hardier, lower-maintenance, and more resistant to drought and disease.
Go Organic for Longer-Lasting Green
While chemical fertilizers feed the grass directly and encourage short-burst growth and impermanent color, caring for the soil with organic fertilizers creates a healthier ecosystem for long-term vitality.
Don’t Guess…Test
Before fertilizing your lawn, it’s important to have an understanding of your soil’s unique composition so that you’re able to select the specific nutrients it needs. Soil tests provide a guesswork-free way to balance the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, lime, sulphur, etc. in your soil. Want to know what’s in your dirt? GoGreener always analyzes your soil to customize the perfect amendments for your lawn health.
Pay Attention to Your Plants
Whether you decide to let your non-grass plants hang around or not, pay attention to them. Often times, the presence and especially over-abundance of particular plants gives us important information about the composition of our soil. For example, excessive plantain (Plantago major) could indicate that your soil is too compacted or clay-heavy, and in need of some aeration and lighter amendments. Excessive dandelion could mean that your lawn is too magnesium-heavy and in need of more calcium.
Stay Sharp When you Mow
Pick up sticks, large rocks, pinecones and other debris before you start mowing. Crisp green grass requires that your mower blade is as sharp as possible—cutting into sticks and other hard matter in your lawn dulls the blade, which leads to those dried-out, white tips on your grass.
Don’t Go Too Short
Check your mower’s deck height settings, which will determine how short you cut your grass. When you go too short, it could take up to 2 weeks for the grass to start growing again, which can lead to uneven and browned patches. Three inches is ideal.
Keep Your Greens Hydrated
There’s an art to watering. It’s important not to overwater, especially in hot Texas summers when water is scarce. When your lawn doesn’t have enough water, the grass will wilt. You can check the turf by stepping on it—if your grass springs right back up, there’s enough moisture in the soil. If it stays compressed, it’s time to water!
Now you know how to keep your lawn green—but actually achieving it takes diligence and commitment. If you’d like the help of an expert to apply these tips and give your lawn the extra love it needs, give us a call at (512) 930-0897 to schedule your free estimate.
John R. Norton via Compfight cc
