Home & Garden

A great lawn is part of a great yard in general. So how do you get the lawn you’re looking for? Here are a few lawn care do’s and don’ts from Southern Lawn Care—a professional lawn service company that serves Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco.

Don’t—put too much fertilizer. Applying fertilizers on your lawn is the first basic step in lawn care but you have to know what type of grass you have and what plant food to use. Horticultural studies show that the nitrogen in fertilizer can burn your lawn, and when temperatures get higher, the likelihood of burning goes up. To prevent damage, go for a slow-release fertilizer with lower nitrogen content. Make sure you follow the directions carefully when applying it to the grass.

Do—water you lawn on a consistent schedule, preferably before the sun rises in the morning (around 5 a.m.) or late at night. Moisture is best absorbed during these times because the temperature is relatively cooler. If you have just planted a new lawn, you will usually need to water once a day so the seeds can germinate and a good solid root system can form. On average, this can last from 2-8 weeks, depending on the type and grass and season. Also, it’s best to water deeply that watering too often. Frequent, light watering produces a shallow-rooted lawn, and you don’t want that.

Don’t—water your lawn before mowing. Horticultural magazines will say that that you should water your lawn a day before mowing to avoid the ugly crowning at the tip of your grass. Watering your lawn a day before they get mowed will give them time to recover and make them look nicer as they start growing again. Mowing should also depend on the type of grass’ optimal height. Recommended mowing heights are 3 inches for tall fescue, 2 1/2 inches for perennial ryegrass, and 1 inch for bentgrass.

Do—apply occasional pesticide or herbicide to your lawn. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 9 million pounds of 2, 4-D is used on U.S. lawns every year. This pesticide is the most commonly used pest control solution for residential and commercial use. Grass grows best in a biologically active soil where soil organisms like earthworms recycle plant material so that nutrients are slowly released in the root zone of the grass. Any excess of organisms like ants and worms can cause your grass to die so an occasional application of pesticide—like once every 4 months, would be good.

Do—remove excess thatch. A thatch is the partially decomposed grass stems, roots, and leaves found between the green part of a lawn and the surface of the soil. Thatch problems are caused by excessive fertilizing and watering, infrequent mowing, and frequent pesticide use. Surrounding trees and shrubs could also cause thatches, especially if they do not receive enough water. Provide more water to grass that have trees and shrubs nearby.

Do—design your garden efficiently. Planning is the key, taking into account the existing environment such as trees and shrubs, plants, sun, wind and water. The landscape design should ensure water drainage back to the ground’s water table. Patios and walkways should be sloped so water drains into the lawn bed.

Do—try to use organic fertilizers for your soil. This is actually more for the environment but using organic fertilizers and plant food decreases the release of green house gases; so it’s always good to do your part.

Try looking at horticultural magazines for more tips on caring for your lawn. You can also contact your most trusted lawn care specialist in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco.