When to Fertilise Your Lawn
The best time to fertilise your lawn is while the grass is on a growth spurt. This will depend on what kind of grass you have. Early spring or summer fertilisation is most effective on warm-season grasses such as switch grass, bluestem, indiangrass, Bermuda, St. Augustine and zoysia. Cool-season grasses are best fertilised in the early spring and late fall. Examples of cool season grasses include Kentucky bluegrass, perennial rye, and a variety of fescues. If unable to fertilise your cool-season lawn twice a year, it is best to do so in the fall.
Lawn Weed Control
Weeds can be an unsightly problem. If the problem is minor, the best way to get rid of weeds is to pull them by hand. Be sure to pull the entire weed, including the roots and runners. A major weed problem usually requires a chemical solution. There are preventive weed formulas, post-emergent weed killers, organics, powdered or granular solutions, liquids and sprays available at your local nursery or hardware store. If the problem is mild or limited to rocky areas, try a granular product. If the problem is mild to moderate, try spraying a chemical solution directly on each weed. For dense patches of weeds or broadleaf invaders, the best solution is to apply a liquid product on a dry lawn that has not been mowed for three days. Weed killers come with specific instructions which should always be followed carefully.
Lawn Fertiliser
There are many different fertilisers on the market, but one main difference in how they work relates to the nitrogen delivery. A slow release of nitrogen generally results in a thicker lawn, whereas a quick release of nitrogen will make your lawn green much faster. Potassium and phosphorous are the other main ingredients found in fertiliser. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous levels are represented by a three-number label on the fertiliser packaging such as 30-10-10, respectively. Conduct a basic pH test on your lawn to determine the blend you need. There are some good lawn feeds available from garden centres which often stock a good selection of the most popular lawn care brands including Evergreen and Scotts lawn care products.
When to Water Your Lawn
Properly aerate your lawn before watering season begins, there are a variety of aerators available from garden centres, however some require more effort than others so choose wisely to suit your needs. A light daily watering is best, but if laws prohibit this or you’re experiencing drought, it’s better to thoroughly water the lawn once or twice a week. Always water when it is cooler, early evening or morning, to prevent your lawn from burning.
How to Mow your Lawn Correctly
Whether using a push, cylinder, electric, petrol or riding mower, the most important thing to remember is not to cut the lawn too short. If you’re just trimming a very small amount, mow the lawn in the morning while it is slightly damp. Otherwise, mow the lawn when it is completely dry. You’ll also want to mow regularly. Experts suggest the following lawn care calendar when mowing: every two weeks in March, every 10 days in April, once a week from May to August, every ten days in September, and just a top-off, if weather permits, in November and December. Don’t forget to trim the edge of the lawn and to keep your mower blades sharp.
