Mow Regularly
By trimming your grass regularly, you will give it consistency along with helping the lawn to gain the correct amount of sunlight and water it needs to grow. As the grass roots tend to go into the soil about two inches deep, you want to try to keep your lawn at a similar height. In times of drought, when the grass is getting little water, you should increase the height to around three inches as this will shade the grass and help to prevent weeds from forming, which can be harmful to your lawn. Prevent issues when mowing by getting a better understanding of the various types of mowers. Different varieties of grass may require different cutting heights, so check the best practices of mowing for your lawn (and region) before starting.Aerate Your Lawn
We aerate our lawns to ensure that the soil does not become compacted. If you have compacted soil, your lawn will suffer from a lack of water, nutrients, and the roots will not penetrate deep down into the soil, which is essential for a healthy lawn. The obvious signs of a compacted lawn are having lots of weeds, and areas where there is dead grass. An easy method to check is to try and push a garden fork into the soil. If it doesn’t go down, then there is a good chance you need to aerate your lawn. You can buy a specific tool for the job or try watering the lawn and using a garden fork to punch holes into the soil while loosening it a little each time. To prevent having compacted soil, you should try to keep traffic across the lawn to a minimum when it has been raining, when the soil is soft, as this gradually compresses it until it dries and starts to get as hard as concrete.The Stopcock Location Check
Before anything, you should know the location of the stopcock. In addition to that, every house member should know where the stopcock is in the house. In case a severe leak or rupture takes place, you should immediately turn to the stopcock. Keep in mind that it only takes a few minutes to turn a little error into severe damage. So don’t waste a moment and rush towards the stopcock and shut off the water supply. Get rid of extra water with a Submersible pump.Watering the Lawn
Many gardeners tend to water their lawns daily, usually in the evening for a short period of time. It is usually better to water less often but leave the water running for longer, and this allows the water to get deep down into the soil which in turn will encourage the roots of the grass to grow further which leads to a better-looking lawn that will have fewer problems in droughts and be less susceptible to weeds. You can still make this a daily activity with a reduction in water, but make sure that every few days, you leave the water running longer to ensure it soaks deeper into the soil.
Use Natural Fertilizers
There are a range of fertilizers on the market to help grass grow, but natural fertilizers are the best for lawns according to research. It has been found that by using natural fertilizers, your lawn will be greener and healthier than if you use synthetic alternatives. Chemical fertilizers are harmful to the environment when they enter the water table, and this affects rivers and streams. Natural fertilizers are not just better for your garden but also better for the family and the environment at the same time.Cycle Grass Clippings
Most gardeners have a grass clipping collector already attached to their lawnmower and then put the clippings into a compost heap to decompose. A better suggestion is to take off your collection bin and let the clippings decompose naturally on the lawn. By allowing your clippings to decay back into your lawn, you are providing the grass with the nutrients it needs, and this has been found to be one of the best natural fertilizers to help grass flourish. Not only does leaving the clippings maintain the lawn, but it also saves you from continually emptying grass into your compost heap, which will speed up the mowing procedure dramatically.Eliminate Thatching
Thatching is a layer of dead grass and roots that forms above the soil. The layer of thatch will prevent your lawn roots from penetrating the ground. Thatching will make your lawn less tolerant of droughts and weeds, and it may also lead to dead spots that make the lawn look untidy. You can attend to this issue by using a dethatching rake or a leaf rake to lift it from the top. You may want to leave a very thin layer in place as it can be useful when it is not thick. A sure sign of thatching is a spongy feeling when you walk across the lawn, and you may need to push the grass blades aside to see the layer of thatch and determine whether it is too thick for your lawn and if it needs removing.By following the advice above you will already be well on your way to making sure you and your family can enjoy a lush, green lawn as soon as the sun is out. Follow the suggestions on your grass seed packaging and, if in any doubt, ask your local garden center or lawn experts to get in-depth knowledge for your grass type and your location. Remember, as with anything, once you’ve put in place some solid maintenance practices and a good work ethic, your job of up keeping will be that much easier.
