“An average homeowner spends an average of more than 70 hours every year to maintain their lawn”. That is almost two complete weekends spent just for lawn activities, which include watering, mowing and more.
What’s more surprising is that even after devoting this much time, many yards struggle with unwanted plants and faded colours. This raises a question of ‘Why’?
The answer is Strategy – which plays a much bigger role than efforts.
The lawn market is booming drastically, and people do care about its maintenance, but often fail to provide smart care and resulting in a patchy lawn.
If you can’t build trust on its trend and growth, the “global lawn care market is expected to reach about $76 billion by 2030” statement is here to uphold it.
And according to LawnStarter, owners spend an average of US$100-400 per month on lawn care.
Despite these things, owners struggle.
If you, too, dream of a lush green lawn that is picture perfect, you are at the right place. Keep reading to uncover the strategies that will lead you to a healthy, green lawn year-round.
Understanding Your Lawn’s Needs
“No two lawns are the same” – Every field is unique with varying pH values and other characteristics. And understanding its nature is important before applying any strategy to it.
This is just the same as the doctor asking about your past medical history and understanding your body type before prescribing any medicine to you.
Practice the same, and begin with your grass type.
Grasses, including Fescue and Bluegrass, are cool season grasses. Hence grows well in winters. Contrary, warm season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia peak in the summer.
Practicing these basic things will help you understand watering and fertilizing needs effectively.
Choosing the Right Equipment
The way a chef needs a sharp knife for efficiency and effectiveness, a land owner requires some tools to care for their plants well.
And as reported, “a dull mower blade can tear grass instead of cutting it, hence increasing disease risk by 22%” proves that tools matter.
Consider electric mowers for an eco-friendly choice, smart irrigation systems to adjust watering, and cordless mowers to provide the required care to the grass.
Effective Watering Practices
“Lawns that are watered twice or thrice effectively in a week are found to have 40% deeper roots than those who watered daily”
Water is life to plants, but too much water can harm plants. Another mistake is frequent shallow watering, which supports surface level roots. Rather water deeply but less often – about 1 inch per week.
Watering plants should be the same as watering a sponge – a slow and steady flow to allow the soil to absorb moisture well.
Note: Effective watering practices might vary with changing sun heats.
Fertilizing for Optimal Growth
Nitrogen is essential for plant colors – lacking which can lead to faded plants. Many other plant requirements, including nitrogen, can be fulfilled by fertilizers – which are termed as Plant Food.
So, always check the N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) ratio on the label to see what your plant will be getting.
Same as over watering, over fertilizing can burn plants and cause nutrient loss. And apply them in the growing season of the plants:
- For cool season grasses: Spring and early fall are best.
- For warm season grasses: Late spring and summer are best.
Regular Mowing and Maintenance
“Cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at once can lead to slow regrowth by 50% – says the one-third rule”. This indicates that mowing needs to be done carefully. Not getting it done properly can result in grass with inconsistent and reduced growth.
Also, practice grasscycling, which says to leave grass clippings on the lawn. It will naturally give back the nutrients to the soil.
Remove leaves, trim edges, and maintain proper sprinkling to keep your lawn tidy and flourishing.
Controlling Weeds and Pests
“Weeds can consume more than 60% of the nutrients if not treated at the right time”
Weeds and pests – uninvited guests of the house. It often feels irritating to remove them manually. To save time, grow thick and dense grass that will cover them. Use organic herbicides to remove pests and weeds naturally, while protecting the soil. Integrated pest management can provide an effective approach by combining cultural practices, biological control, and, if needed, chemical interventions.
Also, allowing some insects to come in, such as ladybugs and nematodes helps to control pests naturally.
Summing it up
A prosperous lawn is a result of effective strategy, patience, and required planning. Analyzing your lawn’s needs, using proper tools, and following the right practices can help you enjoy a green world outside your house in every season.
Concluding everything, a healthy lawn is not just about looks – but about fostering a living and maintaining a healthy place to breathe.
“A well maintained lawn rewards you every time you walk out of your home”
What is the N-P-K ratio?
It is the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in comparison with each other.
Who is actually a weed?
It is any unwanted plant that grows on its own and eats others’ nutrition.
Should we use fertilizers for the plants?
Yes, fertilizers support growth when used in the right amounts.
How does one feel after building a healthy lawn?
One feels very good and rewarded after building a healthy and green lawn.
