Spring is almost here, and you're wishing the family could run barefoot through the backyard without worry. Fortunately, having a beautiful lawn isn't as difficult as you may think. The following lawn care tips will keep your lawn weed-free and make it the envy of your neighbors.
WATER, EVEN IN THE WINTER MONTHS
A healthy lawn starts with happy soil, so show your lawn you care water every couple of weeks during the fall and winter months (unless you receive a good, soaking rain).
FERTILIZE FOUR TIMES A YEAR
Watering during dormant months will hinder the growth of weeds, and fertilizing four times a year can completely eliminate them if done properly. Fertilized grass grows thicker, which keeps weeds from taking root. If you are not currently on a fertilizing schedule, start approximately one month before the grass starts growing in the spring. Then, fertilize every three months. Water the lawn very well to get the fertilizer down into the soil. Some people prefer to wait until they know a good, soaking rain is coming. But if the rain doesn't come within 24 hours of applying fertilizer, use the sprinklers. If fertilizer sits on the grass without being diluted, it can damage the grass.
PEST CONTROL IS JUST AS IMPORTANT
As the red imported fire ants move northward, more parts of the country must treat their yards to keep them at bay. Unfortunately, there is no way to eliminate fire ants because they live far underground. The best way to stop fire ants from taking over your lawn is with a two-step process. First, cover the entire lawn with a bait twice a year. Because the bait is not fail-proof, you must treat individual mounds when/if they appear. You can use the all-natural approach and simply pour boiling water over the mound. The bad part about this method is that it will kill any vegetation growing near the mound. The second option for treating individual mounds is by using a granular insecticide.
MOW ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE
Mowing your weed-free, pest-free lawn should be a pleasurable experience, which is good because you need to mow it weekly during the growing season. Regular mowing helps the grass grow, which deters weeds. Keep it at a medium height.
INSTALL AN AUTOMATIC UNDERGROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Using portable sprinklers can be a guessing game. Automatic underground sprinklers test the soil and water appropriately.
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