Your yard is often the first impression people have of your home, and yet it’s the area most often overlooked when prepping a house for sale. Keeping it green -particularly during the dog days of summer – requires a little diligence, time and yes, investment. Here are some tips to keep your lawn lush and neighbors green with envy all summer long.
1. Fertilize your lawn with products high in nitrogen, which fuels growth and the deep green color. Keep your pets and young children inside after putting fertilizer down so they do not track it inside. After cutting the grass, use a spreader on the lowest setting and go over areas thoroughly to ensure equal coverage. Also, regularly check for pests and spread appropriate pest killer to prevent damage. For the best results, you should fertilize every few months to keep your yard looking good year round.
2. Water your lawn early in the morning a few times a week. Deep soaking ensures deeper root growth and makes a lawn less susceptible to drought and heat damage. The best time to water is at 5 a.m. because it is an off-peak hour and gives the lawn plenty of time to dry before nightfall. The grass should be dry during the night to prevent fungus from growing.
3. Repair damage from your pets. They may be part of the family but they are part the problem for the grass and flower beds. Fill in holes and fence off persistent digging spots. Designate an area out of sight from the road or home if possible. There is high nitrogen content in pet urine, which causes the urine to burn the grass. The number one thing pet owners can do to avoid brown spots is to water the area well within eight hours to dilute the high nitrogen level. There are also services, like BOMB-SQUAD in the Philadelphia region, which can clean up the yard for you and your little mess makers.
4. Dry spots can be treated with plenty of water and grass repair kits sold at home improvement stores. You can also create your own blend by mixing sand, seeds and slow release fertilizer.
5. Know what to plant on your lawn. There are different types of grass and depending on your area, choose what grass or combination will thrive. Be sure to account for your region’s climate, the amount of traffic on the grass and the upkeep needed to keep the lawn pristine. A homeowner must also think careful about what types and where to plant trees, bushes, plants and flowers too. A lot of thought goes into landscaping decisions, but most important are which plants will thrive in the climate and how much sun exposure there is in a particular location.
6. Take care of your lawn mower by giving it a seasonal check up. Make sure the blade is sharpened, change the oil and check the spark plug for erosion. Lawn mowers are expensive and an investment that requires regular up keep. Keeping your mower in good condition will result in a healthy, beautiful lawn. Mow your lawn when it is dry and never shorter than 2.5 inches. In drier months, it is ok to leave your grass longer in order to provide shade for the roots. It is best to mow in the evening when it is not as hot and to alternate directions every time you mow to prevent ruts. Cutting the lawn stimulates growth and enhances thickness.
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