Everyone loves for their lawn to boast thick, healthy, lush green grass. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the secret to achieving it. Our lawn care pros are going to let you in on a couple of our secret tips today to give you the know-how on how to have a lawn that’s the envy of your neighborhood.
Know your grass
While most homeowners are unsure what kind of grass(es) they have growing in their lawns, it’s important to know for a couple of reasons, most notably because different varieties of grass demand different maintenance practices to remain lush, healthy, and green. If you have a lawn that was planted by someone other than you, such as a previous homeowner, try to research the type of grass you have.
Turf grass in the U.S. is divided into groups depending on how they grow in the different climates of our country. We have warm-season grasses and cool-season grasses … and even grasses that can grow in either climate.
- Warm-season grasses grow best in midsummer temperatures that reach 75-90 degrees and generally turn brown when temperatures drop below 55 degrees. These grasses include: Bahiagrass Pensacola, Bahiagrass Argentine, Bermuda, Carpetgrass, Centipede, St. Augustine and Zoysia.
- Cool-season grasses grow best in 65-80-degree temperatures, with peak growth normally taking place in early spring and fall. These grasses include: Bentgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Creeping Red Fescue and Ryegrass (Annual or Perennial).
Tennessee is considered a “middle ground,” where either variety of grass can flourish, but some work better than others. Bermuda grass, for instance, is a winter-hardy warm-season grass, while Tall Fescue is a drought-tolerant cool-season grass.
Healthy soil
Once you’ve determined the grass you’ll be working with and/or which grass to choose based on your climate, you also need to consider soil pH, fertility, moisture, and environmental stresses your grass may be exposed to. For instance, some grass may be more tolerant of shade, and others are better at forming sod.
- Balanced pH level — Healthy soil plays a heavy role in the color and vibrance of your grass. A healthy pH balance allows the grass to access and absorb important nutrients for growth and vibrance. This will also minimize the time you’ll have to spend fertilizing. External factors like rain can affect soil pH, and many solutions exist to correct it. The best idea is to collect a soil sample and have it analyzed to determine your soil’s current pH and how to correct it if necessary.
- Adequate nutrients — Fertility directly affects the quality of your grass the most. You don’t want to oversaturate your lawn with fertilizer, but you do want to make sure your grass is planted in nutrient-rich soil. This is another case when a soil-sample test can help you with what you need to maximize nutrients without burning or otherwise negatively impacting your grass with too much fertilizer.
- Moisture control — Too much water is as unhealthy for grass as not enough. Keep an eye on your soil moisture levels with a rain gauge or irrigation audit.
- Environmental stresses — High-traffic areas in your yard for pets or people can lead to lawn damage. Other common environmental stressors include shade and insect or disease damage. These can cause patches of brown grass or bare spots.
Lots of sunshine
The location of your lawn/garden in relation to the sun will determine the kind of grass that you can grow. Grass requires an average of 4-6 hours of sunlight, which will make its growth look greener and more lush. Certain varieties of turf grass don’t require as much sunlight as others. Look for grass varieties that can tolerate shade if necessary.
Fill in bare spots
Another way to enhance the color of your lawn is to stay on top of damaged or bare areas. Overseed the yard or use grass plugs that are similar to the existing grass to fill in bare or damaged areas.
Make your grass greener
Follow these simple steps, and your lawn will be the envy of your neighborhood. If you have further questions, we can help you take the mystery out of a beautiful, lush green lawn. Give our lawn care specialists at Promier Landscapes a call at (423) 872-2988, or reach us online today.