The Beginner's Guide to a Perfect Lawn

Maintaining a lawn is no easy task. With so many different types of grasses, plants, and trees to choose from, it can be difficult for a novice to know where to start. This blog post will teach you everything you need to know about taking care of your lawn!

What is the best way to maintain a lawn?

Some of the best things you can do to maintain a green, healthy lawn are:

• Pick weeds out of your lawn - This allows the roots of your grass to breathe and grow strong.
• Fertilize your lawn - This will help promote healthy growth and lead to quicker green-up of your lawn.
• Aerate your lawn - Aerate very year or two in the springtime. Aeration will need to be done by a professional lawn care company, however, it is well worth it when your yard is the envy of all your neighbors. 
• Administer lawn pest control - Pests around your yard not only make using your outdoor space uncomfortable but also can affect the appearance of your grass.

How often should a lawn be mowed?

The frequency of mowing depends on the type of grass you have and the growth rate. If you mow more frequently than recommended, a lawn will be damaged and it may take longer to achieve an ideal grass height. 

• Cool season grasses should be mowed every week to every other week, depending on the growth rate. 
• Warm season grasses should be cut two or three times per month with the height of cut at one and a half inches.

How often should you fertilize your lawn?

A lawn should be fertilized every six to eight weeks for best results. You can do this with granular fertilizer or you could choose an organic compost fertilizer, which is great if you want to avoid chemicals and also benefit the environment. 

Regardless of what type of fertilizer you use, make sure that it contains at least 20 percent nitrogen, this helps improve root growth. 

Depending on the type of grass you have, it may be beneficial to add iron sulfate or chelated sources like zinc in order to meet your lawn’s nutritional needs. This is especially important if you are dealing with thin patches that could use a boost in density and strength.

Do I need year-round lawn care?

Depending on your location, some people choose to do lawn care all year round. This involves mulching the grass in the winter months and feeding it throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Since we are in warmer temperatures like Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama year-round lawn care is necessary. It doesn't often freeze over so to keep your lawn in tip-top shape it's important to provide maintenance all year.

Is it worth paying for lawn care?

Yes, spending money on a professional lawn care service is worth it. They can provide you with an additional level of education and information that the average homeowner or Home Depot employee does not have. They have the inside knowledge as to why your lawn is behaving the way that it is and have the treatments available to make it better.