It’s getting that time of year when you have to start thinking about lawn care again. There are so many different things that can go wrong with your lawn including weeds, fungus and of course moss. Moss is perhaps the biggest of lawn care headaches because they are so many different reasons why it occurs in the first place and also there are simply loads of products on the market.
One thing to understand is that the guy that cuts your lawn isn’t necessarily a lawn care expert. He might be able to manoeuvre a lawnmower about but that’s just about all. Instead there are lawn care experts who know just about everything there is no know about lawns. So if you have a problem with moss you should do as much reading on the subject as you can and do the work yourself. Or locate a true and proper lawn care expert who will do the work for you. If you have a neighbor with a particularly beautiful lawn you could also try asking them for some advice.
There’s more to lawn care than simply killing the moss that’s causing the problem. You need to really understand what conditions the moss thrives on and make sure you don’t allow these conditions to be present. If you just kill the moss you can end up with big bare patches on your lawn and the moss will more than likely just come back again.
First of all there’s the issue of the type of soil you have. Many people think that moss loves acidic soil and that you need to add in lime in order to make it less acidic. The problem is that this isn’t really all that true because moss can grow on limestone.
Be careful about how much you cut your lawn. Sometimes people can leave the cutting of their lawn for many weeks because they have been away on vacation, the weather has been bad or perhaps that have just been too lazy. When you don’t cut the lawn regularly enough the blades of grass can get too long. When you do eventually cut the grass, the first cut can end up not being enough. So you end up going over it a second time. This is very bad because you’re cutting too much away in the one day.
Of course, from time to time you have no option but to leave the lawn uncut for weeks. So whenever this happens you should avoid doing two cuts in the same day. Instead you should do a cut one day and then the second cut a day or two later. You should also cut the lawn in different directions each time. The different directions you can choose from are lengthwise, breadth wise and diagonally.
By following the above advice you can ensure that the grass stays healthy and won’t allow the moss room to start growing. Another thing you will want to do is make sure it’s well aerated. Over time the soil can become compacted and basically you need to get some oxygen into the soil. There are a variety of tools on the market to help you with aeration. Which one you choose really is dependant on the size of your lawn, how much money you have to spend and how much work you want to put into the process.
Your lawn also need to have access to the nutrients it needs to grow thick and lush. Therefore adding fertilizer is a big part of lawn care. Fertilizing your lawn isn’t all that straight forward because it depends on what time of the year you are going to use the fertilizer. So don’t just rush out and buy just any kind of fertilizer and add it to your lawn at any time. Make sure you look at the instructions to see when and how you apply it.
Hopefully you now understand that there is a whole load more to a moss-free lawn than just killing the lawn. You need to understand good solid lawn care techniques to ensure you have a healthy lawn that will not encourage the growth of moss. If you do decide to go with a company instead of doing it yourself you should make sure they really do know what they are doing and have experience in getting rid of moss.
If you're like most homeowners, you take pride in having a nice, lush, green lawn. However, keeping your grass nice and green isn't always as simple as it seems. Despite your best efforts, you might find that your grass will be patchy, thin, and otherwise ugly at certain times. Don't despair, though, with the tips in this article, you will have a better idea of how you can be enjoying green grass as much as possible.
The first step is to make sure your lawn is made up of the right type of grass. This is of little help if you already have a lawn, but if you're starting one, make sure you choose the proper types of grass for your region. Most lawns are a blend of "warm season" and "cool season" grasses intended to help keep the grass green for as long as possible. Do your research and select the right blend of grass for your area.
Obviously, watering your grass is key to keeping it green. If you're in a naturally rainy climate, this may not be an issue. The easiest way to keep your lawn watered is with an automatic sprinkler system. Make sure that your sprinkler system provides good, even coverage of the whole lawn without any "dead zones" where the water doesn't reach. If you can't eliminate these zones by adjusting your sprinklers, be sure to keep them watered manually. Otherwise, your lawn will be patchy with the dry spots.
Another thing to watch is lawn thatch. De-thatch your lawn if the thatch layer exceeds one half of an inch (1.25 cm). This will help the water reach the roots.
The next aspect to consider is that of fertilizer. Applying fertilizer is a must if you want to have thick, green grass. Apply fertilizer appropriate for the time of year at regular intervals. Use slow release fertilizers for maximum benefit over time. If you have a problem with weeds, you combine that application of weed killer and fertilizer to ensure that only your grass is getting the extra nutrients from the fertilizer.
Mowing is also key to lawn health. Mow regularly, but not too often, and you will enjoy greener grass. A good rule of thumb is to cut your grass when it is about 3 inches (~8 cm) tall, but never cut off more than the top third of the grass. This optimum height will help ensure healthy grass. Cut your grass with a sharp mower blade, and don't mow your lawn in the heat of the day or after you water it. Only cut dry grass. Alternate which direction you mow each time to prevent ruts from forming in your lawn.
So, this should help get you on your way to having a happy, healthy lawn. If you follow these tips, it will be your neighbor rather than you commenting about the green grass on the other side. Good luck, and enjoy your plush green lawn.
