If you’re completely redoing your lawn, then the best way to get the greenest lawn is by choosing the right type of seed. Do some research on your climate and what type of grass grows best there. A little bit of foresight beforehand can save you a lot of hard work down the road and can give you a lawn that’s super green with minimal effort.
You should also consider getting your soil tested, especially if it consistently has problems staying green. It’s very possible the problem is the soil, not you (which should be comforting). Test your soil’s pH levels as well as elements such as phosphorous and nitrogen.
Don’t be afraid (or ashamed) to use fertilizers and other supplements for your lawn. They can do a lot of the hard work for you and keep your lawn green and healthy. Again, do some research into what types of supplements your lawn is most likely to need (getting professional help, if needed), and then make the changes.
Weeding is a chore that you need to do frequently and consistently instead of an all-at-once type of thing. Pluck out weeds and crabgrass before they get too far. This will save you time down the road because it will prevent the weeds from spreading and taking over your lawn. It also keeps your lawn looking great.
Water your lawn in the morning, especially if you just laid down the new seed. By watering in the morning, the water is less likely to evaporate, meaning it will actually penetrate the soil and go into the roots. The temperature is cooler and the sun isn’t as strong, so the water stays on the lawn for longer.
Speaking of watering, you should also get in the habit of watering fewer times but for longer instead of more often but for less time. The schedule of less frequent but longer allows the water to actually be absorbed by the grass.
Brown spots on your lawn can actually be the result of grubs and not just lack of watering. If you’re suspicious that lawn grubs are killing your grass, just buy some milky spore and spread the granules over the dead spots. The grubs should die with this repeated treatment, and the grass should return to green!
Most experts say you should cut your grass the day after you water it. This serves multiple purposes, but it allows the blades to absorb more water and then the follow-up cut keeps the tips from browning. This won’t make or break your lawn, but it can be a nice addition to your other lawn care habits.
Before mowing, make sure the blade is sharp. If it’s dull, it can rip the grass up instead of cleanly cutting it. This will result in damaged blades that don’t grow or absorb water well, which can brown your lawn overtime. Most people say you should sharpen your mower blades after about 10 hours of combine work.
During the summer and other hot seasons, it’s a good idea to keep your grass at about 3 to 3 ½ inches in length. It’s okay to be shorter during the winter, but you want this length in the summer. Not only does it provide shade that kills weed seeds, but it also lets water absorb into the soil before the sun evaporates it. These all result in a greener and healthier lawn.
