The Greenest Lawn: Don't Settle For Less

Everybody wants their lawn to be as green as possible, right? Especially when summertime gets closer, lawn care will be a high priority for lots of people. As you think about all that must be done, consider showing off a greener, healthier lawn than ever before. When you drive through your street and see how splendidly green some lawns are, you must know this: The amount of nutrients the grass receive makes a big difference. Caring for your lawn in the best way is actually essential for the "green" it produces. Proper mowing, aerating and watering your lawn will result in a much greener yard.

You might be wondering why your lawn is not as green as you would like. One of the most common reasons for this is traffic. The amount of traffic your lawn receives can be a factor in how it looks like. If there are people moving through certain areas of your lawn, the much needed aeration through the soil will be disturbed. When that happens, the grass will have a lack of oxygen, which is never good. This situation can be solved by aerating your lawn. You may notice some flat areas on your lawn, or places where the soil is compact. If you do, then you most definitely must aerate the lawn. You can find the best aerating tools online.  To achieve the best results, be sure to aerate your lawn in springtime or maybe even fall. Whatever you do, DO NOT aerate your lawn during summer.


Another reason may be that it doesn't receive enough sunlight. Lawns that are shaded, for example by trees, have difficulty producing nice, green grass, simply because it's hard to receive the right amount of sunlight. If this is your case, what you have to do is trim the branches that stand in the way of the sunlight reaching the grass. If you need help with pruning or further advice on trimming trees, it's a good idea to consult a Arborist.

You can also help your lawn stay green by making sure the grass isn't being invaded by thatch and debris. The lawn must be raked consistently and it's important that you buy a good rake to remove thatch that are over half-inch long. What this does, is it allows for better aeration through your grass, as well as
proper movement of the essential nutrients in the grass and soil.

Knowing when to mow your lawn is crucial in keeping it looking its greenest. You must find that balance, and always be aware of the mowing height and clippings you use. The following measurements are usually applied: For grass that's a little more coarse, a 1 inch length can be maintained. Finer grass can be mowed to a 15 mm to 20 mm length. Too short may stress out the grass; to long will prevent water and sunlight to move properly into the soil.  You may have to adjust the height of your lawnmower to do this.

It can not be mentioned enough: Watering must be done right in order to maintain a great looking lawn! When and how to water your lawn is very important in making your grass greener. The best time to water your lawn is in the (early) morning. This way, the soil will absorb the water instead of it evaporating by the heat of the sun. You should also make sure you water the grass evenly instead of watering in sections. Of course, the easiest way to do this is using an irrigation system.

Last but certainly not least, your soil is a very important factor in helping your lawn to achieve it's greenest color. The texture with the grains should be just right, as well as the right pH balance. If one of these is a problem, the soil can easily be balanced out by adding compost or fertilizer. This in turn will give the grass the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and green. When selecting fertilizer for your lawn, always consider a few of things: Your type of soil, the problems you see the grass is having, and the time of year you are thinking of fertilizing. It's always a good idea to consult your local garden center.

So, if you want to have the greenest lawn in your street, remember this: The traffic and surroundings of your lawn, aeration, the right nutrients, mowing and watering your lawn the right way will contribute to a healthy, green lawn.
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_51456_27.html?ktrack=kcplink

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