Your lawn is the foundation of your home and it’s so important to take care of it properly. But what if you’re new to taking care of a lawn, or just looking to improve how well your lawn looks? If that’s the case then this step-by-step guide will help you get started with a brand new lawn!
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| – Maintaining a beautiful lawn requires proper care and attention to detail. |
| – Tips on fertilizing, watering, mowing, and more can help in maintaining a healthy and attractive lawn. |
| – Building a support system after experiencing grief and loss can make a big difference. |
| – You can maintain a beautiful lawn on a budget with the right tips and tricks. |
| – Following the do’s and don’ts of lawn care is crucial to maintaining a healthy and attractive lawn. |
1. Mow Your Lawn Properly
To get a perfect lawn in just 7 days, mow your lawn properly. Mow your lawn at the right height. Don’t wait until the grass is long and thick before you mow it for the first time; this will make it difficult for you to cut evenly without taking off too much of the top layer of soil along with leaves and other debris that may have fallen there over time.
Instead, make sure that you’re cutting off about 1/3rd of what’s left when you’re done trimming down any stray branches or dead blades from earlier in springtime–this will give your yard plenty of room to grow while still providing enough protection against harsh weather conditions like rainstorms later on down near ground level where roots are located underneath all those layers above them!
A beautiful lawn adds so much value to your outdoor space and home. Lawn Care 101: Essential Tips for a Beautiful Lawn All Year Round offers useful tips on how to care for your lawn and maintain its beauty.
2. Feed Your Lawn
Once you’ve laid the groundwork and prepared your soil, it’s time to feed your lawn. The first step is deciding what kind of fertilizer to use. There are many different kinds out there, so it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one is right for you and your yard.
Here are some things that should help:
The type of fertilizer depends on what season it is and how much sun/watering your grass receives.
For example, if your lawn gets lots of sunlight and only needs watering once every few days during summer months (when temperatures rise above 80 degrees F), then using a slow-release granular product like Milorganite may be ideal because they release nutrients over time instead of immediately like liquid products do–this allows them more time absorb into the soil before being washed away by rain or irrigation systems (which could cause nutrient deficiencies).
If however; we had planted our seedlings earlier in springtime when temperatures were colder then chances are we would need something else entirely!
Lawn Feed Products Comparison
| Lawn Feed | Active Ingredient(s) | Release Type | Application Rate | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food | Nitrogen, Potassium | Slow-release | 4.6 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. | 15000 sq. ft. |
| Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food | Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash | Instant-release | 1 lb. per 1000 sq. ft. | 5000 sq. ft. |
| Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Granular Fertilizer | Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash | Slow-release | 4 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. | 2000 sq. ft. |
| Espoma Lawn Food All-Season Formula | Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash | Slow-release | 18 lbs. per 5000 sq. ft. | 5000 sq. ft. |
This table provides a comparison of different lawn feed products and their features. The lawn feed products include Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Fall Lawn Food, Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food, Jobe’s Organics All-Purpose Granular Fertilizer, and Espoma Lawn Food All-Season Formula.
The table includes information on the active ingredients, release type, recommended application rate, and coverage area for each lawn feed product.
3. Water Your Lawn Correctly
When you water your lawn, it’s important to do so correctly. The frequency of watering depends on the type of grass and how much sunlight it receives. If you water too much or too little, this can cause damage to your lawn and leave patches that are more susceptible to weeds or disease.
To know when to water:
Look at the color of your grass — if it’s very dark green then there isn’t enough moisture in the soil for good growth and coloration; if it’s light green then there is enough moisture but not too much; if the blades are yellowish-brown (or even brown), then they need watering right away!
Dig down into the soil with a trowel; if there’s still moisture present at a depth of 6 inches (15 cm) then don’t irrigate yet while if there isn’t any after digging down this far then go ahead with another application!
A healthy and well-maintained lawn can make your home look more attractive and welcoming. Check out The Ultimate Guide to Lawn Maintenance: How to Keep Your Lawn Looking Perfect for expert tips on lawn care and maintenance.
4. Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating your lawn is the best way to improve the soil’s health and make sure that nutrients get where they need to go. It also helps prevent weeds from growing by opening up pathways for water, fertilizer and air to reach the roots of your grass.
Aerating tools come in all shapes, sizes and prices–some manual (you pull them behind you), some electric or battery-powered–but they all do basically the same thing: poke holes in the turf so it can breathe better.
You should aerate at least once per year; if you have sandy soil or live in a dry climate where irrigation isn’t available frequently enough to keep up with evaporation rates from summer heat waves, then consider doing it twice per season instead!
Fertilizing your lawn at the right time and with the right type of fertilizer is essential to maintaining a healthy lawn. Learn about the best time to fertilize your lawn and more in The Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn: Expert Tips for Optimal Growth.
5. Spread Fertilizer Correctly
When you’re ready to apply fertilizer, use a spreader and follow the directions on the package. The amount of fertilizer you need will depend on the size of your lawn and how much organic matter has been built up in it already.
Spread evenly over your entire lawn (or just one section if you have an especially large yard), watering it into the soil with a hose or sprinkler after applying.
| Fertilizer | Active Ingredient(s) | Application Rate | Coverage Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Turf Builder | Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash | 2.5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. | 5000 sq. ft. |
| Miracle-Gro Lawn Food | Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash | 5 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. | 4000 sq. ft. |
| Milorganite Organic Fertilizer | Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash, Iron | 8.75 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. | 2500 sq. ft. |
| Pennington UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer | Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash | 3.75 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. | 6000 sq. ft. |
This table provides a comparison of lawn fertilizers and their recommended application rates. The fertilizers include Scotts Turf Builder, Miracle-Gro Lawn Food, Milorganite Organic Fertilizer, and Pennington UltraGreen Lawn Fertilizer. The table includes information on the active ingredients, application rate, and coverage area for each fertilizer.
6. Level The Soil With Mulch Or Compost
Once you’ve finished tilling, level the soil with mulch or compost. This is a great way to keep your soil at an even height, which makes it easier for water to drain away from plants. It also helps insulate the soil from extreme temperatures in both winter and summer by keeping moisture in longer.
Maintaining a beautiful lawn can seem costly at times, but there are always ways to cut costs and save money. Lawn Care On a Budget: 15 Money-Saving Tips You Need to Know provides valuable tips and tricks to help you maintain a beautiful lawn without breaking the bank.
7. Put On A Pre-Emergent Weed Killer And Follow Up With A Post-Emergent Weed Killer (If Needed)
To keep your lawn healthy and weed-free, you’ll need to apply a pre-emergent weed killer. This product prevents weeds from sprouting in the first place. You can buy it at most garden stores or online.
It’s also a good idea to use a post-emergent weed killer if you have any stubborn weeds that just won’t die. Once they do sprout up, though, don’t go overboard with this one: herbicides with the same active ingredient (like glyphosate) may kill your grass as well as the unwanted plants!
8. Apply An Insecticide If You Need To Kill Any Pests
You can also apply an insecticide if you need to kill any pests. This is a good idea if you have a lot of bugs in your lawn, which can happen when it’s too hot or dry for them to survive.
Here are some tips for applying an insecticide:
- Use a slow-release granule or liquid fertilizer instead of chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, as these won’t kill off all the bugs but will help keep them under control by encouraging healthy growth in plants.
- Apply the product according to the label instructions so that it doesn’t harm other animals or plants in your yard. If there are no directions on how much should be used per square meter (meter squared), use about 2 teaspoons per square foot (foot squared).
- Spray only when necessary–for example, after rain stops falling during summer months when mosquitoes are especially active due to higher temperatures outside!
| Insecticide | Target Pests | Active Ingredient(s) | Coverage Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer | Ants, Roaches, Spiders | Bifenthrin | 5300 sq. ft. |
| BioAdvanced Complete Insect Killer | Ants, Grubs, Fleas, Ticks | Imidacloprid, Beta-cyfluthrin | 5000 sq. ft. |
| Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer | Chinch Bugs, Sod Webworms | Gamma-cyhalothrin | 16,000 sq. ft. |
| Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer | Grubs, Ticks, Japanese Beetles | Imidacloprid | 5000 sq. ft. |
This table provides information on the recommended insecticides to kill common lawn pests. These insecticides include Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer, BioAdvanced Complete Insect Killer, Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer, and Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer.
The table includes information on the target pests, active ingredients, and coverage area of each insecticide.
9. Put On A Disease Control Treatment If Necessary
Fungicides are a type of pesticide that kill or prevent the growth of fungus. They are effective against most common lawn diseases and can be used in place of pesticides, which kill both insects and weeds but often harm plants as well.
Fungal diseases include:
Leaf spots – brown spots on leaves caused by fungi that invade through wounds on the plant’s surface or through natural openings in the leaf’s cuticle (the outer layer).
Leaf spots tend to appear circular in shape with concentric rings around them; they may also have concentric rings inside themselves if two different types of fungi infect the same tissue at different times.
Rusts – reddish-brown powdery spores formed on leaves during humid weather conditions; these spores spread quickly throughout entire lawns if left untreated so it’s important to treat immediately after noticing symptoms appear!
Knowing what to do and what not to do when it comes to lawn care is crucial to maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn. Check out The Dos and Don’ts of Lawn Care: Expert Advice for a Healthy Lawn for expert tips on lawn care dos and don’ts.
Conclusion
You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get a perfect lawn in just 7 days. If you follow these simple steps, you’ll have the perfect lawn that you’ve always dreamed of in no time at all!
Further reading
Here are some additional resources to help you achieve a perfect lawn:
6 Secrets for Getting the Best Lawn on the Block: Scotts offers useful tips on how to create a lawn that’s the envy of your neighborhood.
9 Steps to a Lush Lawn: This Old House provides nine steps to help you create a lush and healthy lawn.
How to Create the Perfect Lawn: 10 Steps to Success: Gardeners Dream’s blog post offers 10 practical steps to help create a healthy and beautiful lawn.
FAQs
What are some common lawn pests and how can I control them?
Some common lawn pests include grubs, chinch bugs, and armyworms. You can control them by using insecticides and following good lawn management practices like regular mowing, proper watering, and aeration.
How often should I water my lawn?
The frequency and amount of watering depend on factors like climate, soil type, and grass species. A general rule of thumb is to water deeply once or twice a week to promote deep root growth.
How often should I fertilize my lawn?
The frequency of fertilizing depends on factors like climate, soil type, and grass species. As a general rule, you should fertilize your lawn 2-4 times a year, depending on which season is best for your grass type.
How short should I mow my lawn?
The recommended mowing height depends on the species of grass you have planted. Generally, cool-season grasses should be kept at a height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches, and warm-season grasses should be kept at a height of about 1 to 2 inches.
What can I do to prevent weeds in my lawn?
Good lawn care practices like proper watering, fertilization, and mowing can help prevent weed growth. You can also use pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weed seeds from germinating.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a landscape designer in Los Angeles. I’ve been working with homeowners and businesses to help them improve the look of their properties for over 10 years.
