Lawn care is a lot like the real estate market: it’s all about location, location, and location. If you live in LA or New York City, your lawn care will take a different approach than someone who lives in Utah’s dry, semi-arid and desert climate.
And if you’re lucky enough to live on or near a golf course, you have a whole other set of standards to meet!
Any way you look at it, lawn care is a tough job.
To begin with, you need the right lawn care tools, and you need to know the lawn care basics. This article will show you some of the healthy lawn care tips so that your garden and yard look great all year long!
Get To Know Your Soil
Yard work starts with understanding your soil. You need to know what kind of soil you have to choose the right plants and care for them properly. You can do a simple test at home by grabbing a handful of dirt and squeezing it.
If it crumbles easily, then you have sandy soil. If it stays in clumps when you squeeze it, you have clay soil. If it is between these two extremes, you have loam soil.
You can also use a soil testing kit from a garden store to get a more detailed report about your soil’s pH levels and nutrient content. Adjusting the pH levels and adding organic matter can help improve the health of your lawn.
Once you know what kind of soil you have, you can amend it.
Soil breakdown 101
- Improve sandy soils by adding organic matter like compost or peat moss.
- Improve clay soils by adding sand or gravel.
- Improve loam soils by adding either organic matter or sand.
Improving your soil is vital for two reasons: it makes your plants healthier and helps the ground hold water and nutrients. When you amend your soil, you are essentially creating a better environment for your plants to grow in.
Mow Your Lawn on the Right Schedule
Mowing your lawn is one of the most important things you can do to keep it looking good.
The height you should mow your lawn depends on the type of grass you have. If you have cool-season grass, i.e. turf grass, you should mow it at a 2-3 inches height. If you have warm-season grass, you should mow it at a 1-2 inches height.
Mowing your lawn at the right height is essential for two reasons: it helps the grass retain water and nutrients and prevents the grass from becoming too tall and thin.
When you allow the grass to get too tall, it becomes difficult for the grass roots to get the water and nutrients they need. And when the grass is too thin, it becomes more susceptible to disease.
Fix Underlying Issues
If your lawn looks terrible, it may be because of underlying issues like pests or diseases.
The best way to deal with these problems is to address them head-on. Many different pests and diseases can affect your lawn, so it’s important to know what to look for.
Pests like aphids, chinch bugs, and grubs can be treated with pesticides. Diseases like brown patches, dollar spots, and rust can be treated with fungicides. It’s essential to read the labels of these products carefully so that you know how to use them properly.
Know the Best Grasses for Your Region
Not all grasses are suitable for every region. Some grasses are better suited for cold climates, while others are better suited for warmer temperatures. It’s important to know which grasses are best for your region so that you can choose the right plants.
Grasses well-suited for cold climates include bluegrass, fescue, and rye. Grasses well-suited for warm climates include Bermuda, St. Augustine, and zoysia.
If you’re not sure which lawn grasses are best for your region, you can consult a local garden center or landscaper. They will recommend the right plants for your climate and soil type.
Water Wisely 
Water is an integral part of lawn care, but it’s important to water wisely. You don’t want to overwater your lawn because that can be more harmful than underwatering.
The best way to water your lawn is to water deeply rather than regular light watering. Watering this way will help the grass grow deep roots and become drought-resistant.
You should water your entire lawn once or twice a week, depending on the weather. If it’s hot and dry, you may need to water more often. If it’s raining regularly, you may not need to water at all.
Weed Regularly, Especially in Shady Areas Where Weeds Grow Faster
Lawn weeds can be a significant nuisance, especially if they get out of control. The best way to deal with weeds is to weed regularly not to have a chance to take over.
Weeds tend to grow faster in shady areas, so it’s important to pay special attention to these areas. You may need to weed more often in shaded areas than in sunny areas.
Use a Grass Cutting Blade Appropriate for Your Lawn Mower
Not all grass-cutting blades are the same. Some grass blades are better suited for thick grass, while others are better suited for thin grass. It’s essential to use a blade that is appropriate for your lawnmower.
If you have a lawnmower with a mulching blade, you should use a blade designed for mulching. A mulching blade will chop the grass up into small pieces, which will help to fertilize the lawn.
Related: Get Your Yard Ready for Summer
Sounds Difficult to Follow All Best Practices? Let My All Green Lawn Care Help!
You need the right tools and know-how to have a healthy, beautiful lawn. If your lawn looks average (or worse), it may be because of underlying issues like pests or diseases.
The best way to deal with these problems is to address them head-on using pesticides/fungicides when needed or call a professional, My All Green Lawn Care to help. We know the best practices for lawn care and can help you get your entire lawn back on track. Contact us today!