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A well manicured lawn adds beauty and value to a home. A house can be ever so beautiful, but if the lawn is in bad condition the overall appearance is affected. Maintaining a lush, green lawn takes work, but the results are well worth the money and effort.
First and foremost, properly mowing a lawn is detrimental to its health and appearance. The Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet entitled "Don't Bag It - The Lawn Maintenance Plan", written by John R. Street and William E. Pound, Extension Argronomists, provides the following information on mowing. It says for grass to live and grow, it is necessary for photosynthesis to take place. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make food, and this can only occur if there is enough foliage exposed to the sun. Mowing a lawn at a low level may keep it short for a longer period of time, but doing so is harmful. The grass becomes weak, susceptible to disease and weeds, and it is more likely to be damaged during hot, dry months.
Blade height depends on the type of grass. Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass should be mowed to a height ranging between one half inch and one inch. Tall Fescue should be mowed to a height of two and one half inches to three inches. Kentucky Bluegrass should be mowed to a height ranging between one and one half inches and two and one half inches. Perennial Ryegrass and Fine Fescue should be mowed to a height of two inches to two and one half inches. Raising the mower blades by at least one half inch during the hot summer months will help keep the base of the grass cool and promote photosynthesis.
It is recommended that grass clippings be allowed to remain on the lawn instead of bagging and disposing of them. Doing this is not necessary, and it adds more waste to landfills. In addition, leaving the clippings on the lawn will help return valuable nutrients and cut down on time and labor. Mulching mowers do a fantastic job by producing smaller clippings, but a regular mower is sufficient. If the clippings are not fine enough, or if there are clumps on the lawn, it is important to either mow over them again or spread them out. If the lawn was excessively long when mowed, some of the clippings can be removed and used as mulch around bedding plants and trees. Too many clippings can prevent the lawn from getting much needed light. This problem can be avoided by mowing frequently. Mowing should be done often enough so that no more than a third of the length has to be removed at a time.
Regular applications of fertilizer will help keep a lawn healthy and beautiful. The Ohio State University Fact Sheet entitled "Fertilization of Lawns", written by John R. Street and Susan K. White, gives the following tips on fertilizing a lawn. It says the best time of the year to apply fertilizer are between August and December. A spring and summer application is also recommended, but it is not as beneficial. It can actually cause more harm than good, so caution should be taken. This is the time of year that fertilizer is most likely to burn a lawn due to dryness.
Effective pest control products can be applied to a lawn along with granular or pelleted fertilizer if it is necessary. Often those with pets use products that eliminate fleas and ticks in the lawn. Be sure to follow label instructions and read precautionary statements carefully when using these products.
Fertilizer burn can be prevented by using granular or pelleted products rather than pulverized types. However, improperly applying any fertilizer can burn a lawn. It is important to spread the product evenly and avoid spills. Apply fertilizer only to a dry lawn and thoroughly water after applying. Be sure to use no more than one and one half pounds of nitrogen for every one thousand square feet. Slow release products are recommended.
A soil test is the best way to determine the needs of a lawn. Most local extension offices or garden centers have soil test kits available. They will be able to advise you on what minerals your lawn requires. They will also answer any questions you may have on performing the soil test and applying the right product according to the results of the test.
Weed control is also necessary in maintaining a beautiful lawn. A lawn that is well cared for is less likely to have a weed problem. However, sometimes it is necessary to use products to keep them under control. According to the Ohio State University Extension article entitled "Broadleaf Weed Control for Home Lawns", prepared by John R. Street and William E. Pound, identifying weeds in a lawn is the first step in broadleaf weed control. Many times it is necessary to combine products to achieve desired results. This article suggests dicamba, MCPP, 2,4-DP, and/or 2,4-D to eliminate existing broadleaf weeds. It is very important to closely read and follow label instructions. It is also recommended that these herbicides are applied in the spring. The suggested time is between April and June, and in the fall from September to October. It says summer applications are not recommended because of possible lawn damage. Also, products are not as effective this time of year. It is recommended that herbicides are not used around gardens, flowers, bushes, or trees.
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