Maintaining a lawn doesn’t have to be a challenge. In fact, lawn care really consists of just five tasks: mowing, weeding, watering, fertilising and aerating. This post explains more as to how to carry out each task and achieve the perfect lawn.
Mowing
While ‘rewilding’ has become more popular in recent years, most people still prefer the appearance of a neatly trimmed lawn. This requires mowing your lawn frequently throughout the year. Push mowers are the most popular solution for small lawns, while ride-on mowers are better for large lawns. Just how often should you mow your lawn? It really depends on the climate and time of year. As a general guide, you should aim to mow your lawn weekly in Spring and Autumn. In Summer, you may want to drop this down to once per fortnight (or less during periods of drought). In winter, mowing is sometimes best avoided – especially if it is frosty or very wet.
Weeding
Weeding involves removing unwanted plants from your lawn. Common examples of such plants include thistles, dandelions, nutgrass and oxalis (however, it’s really up to you as to what you consider a weed). Weeds often need to be pulled out individually, although using herbicides is an alternative option. It’s worth exploring different ways to remove weeds to find the most effective and convenient option.
Watering
Your lawn needs water all year round to keep it looking green and lush. During periods of rainfall, there’s no need to water your lawn. However, during dry summer periods, it’s essential to keep your lawn hydrated. You could do this manually with a hose, or you could install sprinklers. If you’re unsure where to begin or need support with setup and maintenance, you could also look into local professionals such as Sunrise Sod Services who specialize in lawn care.
Automated irrigation systems can also be an efficient option, especially for larger yards that require consistent coverage. It’s important to water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation and ensure your lawn absorbs as much moisture as possible. Working with experienced lawn care providers can help you fine-tune your watering schedule for optimal results. To save money on your water bill, you should also consider getting a rain barrel to collect rainwater which you can then sprinkle on your lawn.
Fertilising
On top of watering your lawn, it can be worth feeding your lawn. Fertiliser contains a mix of nutrients – when sprinkled on the lawn, these nutrients are absorbed by the soil, and then absorbed by your plants. This can lead to healthy lush grass. Fortunately, you don’t need to put a lot of fertiliser down to make an impact. In fact, you only really need to apply fertiliser twice per year: once in Spring and once in Autumn. You can shop around for fertilisers online. Some fertilisers are better for certain types of soil or grass, so do you research to find the best one.
Aerating
Aerating a lawn involves using a spike roller or spiked shoes to make lots of tiny holes in the soil of your lawn. This helps to encourage drainage during rainy periods, preventing your lawn from getting boggy. It can also help water and nutrients to get deeper into the soil, allowing for grass roots to spread and helping grass to grow more efficiently. The best times to aerate your lawn are in Spring and Autumn when it’s wet but not frosty. Avoid aerating in summer and winter unless it’s been wet and the temperature is mild.
