There’s nothing more satisfying than
a healthy, lush green lawn. And once you know
the when, why and how much of proper seeding,
watering, fertilizing and maintaining, your
lawn can be the envy of the neighbourhood.
Here’s a couple of tips to get you started:
Tip 1 - Seeding
When it comes to seeding, temperature is crucial.
If seed is applied to cool soil, it lies dormant
until conditions of moisture and temperature
are correct. Therefore, always seed when soil
temperature is above 13°C (55°F).
As the soil temperature rises, germination
speed ingresses.
Tip 2 - Watering
Correct watering is perhaps the most important
step in getting a beautiful lawn. If a homeowner
is disappointed with seeding results, it is
usually because they did not water the new
seed adequately. Keep in mind it takes time
to develop a mature root system. Start with
light, frequent waterings several times a
day to keep the soil moist in the root zone.
As the sand matures, gradually switch to deeper,
less frequent watering.
Tip 3 - Mowing
Proper mowing is the difference between a
healthy green lawn and a dully, frayed lawn.
Here’s a couple of tips to keep in mind
when mowing. First, only mow off 1/3 of the
turf. Cutting off more makes the grass less
attractive and more vulnerable. Second, make
sure you only use a sharp blad - it provides
a much cleaner cut.
Tip 4 – Fertilizing
Depending on your growing conditions, chances
are fertilizer is your lawn’s best friend.
Be sure to always follow seeding instructions
for fertilizing at the time of seeding. After
the second time you mow, reapply as per instructions.
Tip 5 - Weeding
Weeds can originate from a variety of sources.
They often lie dormant in soil for many years,
and they can blow in from adjacent properties.
Instead of trying to pull them, allow the
weeds to grow with the new grass. Because
most weeds cannot survive mowing, it’s
a quicker more effective method of lawn maintenance.
Tip 6 - Maintenance
Try to keep your lawn free of sunlight obstructions
and other debris. Prune branches from trees
or shrubs so the area receives a minimum of
2 hours of sunlight per day. And always move
leaves and other debris to prevent suffocation.
