Landscaping is an important part of maintaining a home’s curb appeal, which is especially important for those who are thinking about selling their property. If you plan on staying in your home, lawn maintenance is still vital as it improves the overall look of your home’s exterior and contributes to pride of ownership.
If you do not have a green thumb or the time to fuss over your lawn, follow these simple tips and your lawn will be lush and green for the whole season:
AERATE & THATCH
It is best to aerate in the spring and fall before fertilizing. Aerators can be rented or lawn care companies can provide the service. Aeration reduces soil compaction and creates room in the soil for air and nutrients to be absorbed. More importantly, it allows water to penetrate more deeply into the soil, resulting in a stronger root system. Dethatching is also recommended. Aim for less than 2.5 cm of thatch and no less than 1 cm. Too much thatch can result in infestation and disease.
IMPROVE SOIL QUALITY
Grass grows best in moist, fertile soil. If you have sandy soil or clay, consider adding humus. For your grass to grow a strong root system, at least 10 cm of soil is needed to support growth. If your lawn lacks rich, healthy soil, consider top dressing with a mixture of loam, peat, moss and compost.
OVERSEED
After you have top dressed, overseed your lawn for a thick, healthy turf. It is best to top dress and overseed in spring or early fall. Best choices for seed include a mix of drought-resistant, shade & sun mixes. Perennial Rye Grass is worth consideration as many bugs do not like the taste and it maintains its green colour throughout the stress of the mid-summer heat.
PROPER MOWING
Many homeowners have a tendency to cut their grass very short. Although this can be beneficial at the beginning of the season to eliminate winter build-up, it is important to mow high for the rest of the year. In most of Ontario, the best time to “scalp” your lawn is before April 30th. Scalping refers to the removal of dormant, or straw-coloured grass. It will prevent thatching, the growth of weeds, and it will promote early greening of your lawn. After you “scalp,” it is recommended that you mow your lawn no shorter than 6 to 8 cm in length. Ensure that mower blades are kept sharp and do not bag your clippings. Clippings provide a natural source of nitrogen. Mowing long does have one draw-back, you have to cut your grass more frequently to keep it looking good.
FERTILIZE
Fertilizing is essential to grass health as it provides nutrients to help it stay healthy and out-compete weeds. When fertilizing, consider organic, slow-release fertilizers, and use a spreader for an even application. The Lawn Care Sector Group of Landscape Ontario recommends using a phosphorus-free fertilizer on established turf. In late May or early June consider corn gluten meal to help you battle the ever-present crabgrass. Fertilizing in late fall will also help to increase spring root growth and promote an early green up.
PULL WEEDS AND WATCH FOR INFESTATION
Once your grass’ growth is underway, walk your lawn and keep an eye out for weeds and insects. Pull large weeds by hand and prevent dandelions from flowering and seeding by removing or cutting off their flower stalks. If you see the beginning of a grub infestation, apply nematode spray. How can you tell if you have a grub problem? Watch for the presence of skunks, crows or moles feeding on your lawn. If you see dead and dying patches of grass that can be peeled back, there is a good chance that you have grubs.
WATER
A healthy lawn can go dormant for as long as 6 weeks. If your lawn is dormant, be sure not to mow or fertilize. If you choose to water your lawn, water less than once per week and do so in the early morning to prevent evaporation. When you do apply water, water your lawn deeply (2.5cm) so that it penetrates the roots.
