Lazy Lawn Care Tips

If you are the kind of person who wants a super-green, manicured yard of living carpet, this article is not for you.  Hire a full time professional.

But if you’d really like a nice looking yard at a minimum of cost and labor, here are some tips from cooperative extension agents from around the country that everyone can use.

Tip #1  Fertilizer

Fertilize once a year.  That’s once.  Not two, not four times a year.  Waste of time and money.  Fertilize in the fall of the year so your grass plants develop vigorous root systems and send out tendrils which sprout new grass plants.  This fall feeding is stored in the roots over winter and will green-up your lawn early the next spring.  A good time to fertilize is late October, early November… before the ground freezes.

Tip #2 Water

Put the sprinkler out only when the kids want to get wet.  Otherwise, don’t water the grass.  Waste of time and money.  Grass is meant to hibernate during the hot, dry summer.  It will green-up again in the fall.  Just because the grass is yellowish, that doesn’t mean that the yard is not well maintained.  Your yard can be just as gorgeous in the hot summer, just a slightly different color.  Water the tomatoes, not the grass.  Water is too precious to waste… and it’s gotten so expensive.

Tip #3 Mowing

Mow only when the grass needs it.  Spring and Fall… and occasionally during the summer just to make the grass look neat.  It’s ok to leave the clippings on the grass as long as they don’t clump.  Clumps of dead grass will kill the living grass underneath.  Grass clippings break down over time and automatically feed the lawn.

Tip #4  De-Thatching and Aerating

Don’t.  They are a waste of time and money.  De-thatching is removal of dead grass lying on the soil surface.  It doesn’t harm a thing.  Plus thatch keeps down lawn weeds.  A healthy grass plant sends its tendrils underground and will pop up right through that thatch.  Aerating is punching little holes in the ground, presumably to let in air, light and rain.  The soil already has enough of these.  Aerating just brings up all the dormant weed seeds waiting under the soil’s surface for a little sunlight. 

Tip #5 Seeding

If you need to seed, choose a “blend” seed mix.  You don’t want only one type of grass plant in your yard.  Some plants do better in shade and others in sun.  Choosing a mix makes sure that the right plants will develop in their proper environment.  IMPORTANT:  Grass seed won’t sprout well unless it is firmly pressed against the soil or is covered by a thin layer of soil.  Soil contact is critical.  A seed lying in a clump of grass will sprout and dry out and die quickly.  Once the seed is down, water it in and walk on it or roll it… getting good soil contact.  Tip: Spread your seed over a light snow at the end of winter.  Mother Nature will take the seed down all by herself as the snow melts.  Don’t seed in the hot summer.

Get a hammock and a good book.  Enjoy your yard.

 (c) 2010 Consumer Guide by David Sullivan

Look for more Lazy Lawn Care Tips – coming soon.

Tips for a healthy lawn.
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