How to Groom the Perfect Lawn

Blog posted On April 22, 2021

Curb appeal is one of the top influencers when buying or selling a home. If you have a nice garden, new paint, and a well-groomed yard, your home will likely get more offers than one with poorly kept outdoor features. Even if you aren’t considering selling, you still probably appreciate the looks of a nice green lawn. Luckily, growing the perfect lawn doesn’t require an extensive skill set, just a few extra steps in your daily routine.

1. Prevent weeds before they sprout

By using a pre-emergent herbicide, you can protect your lawn from the growth of weeds. Like many plants, weeds need a roothold in order to germinate and grow. If you use a pre-emergent, it can prevent them from locking in their roots. Try to treat your lawn with a pre-emergent before the Summer so that you can prevent the hard-to-remove weeds (like crabgrass) from sprouting. Before treating your lawn with any solution, always be sure to read and follow directions carefully. Some treatments require certain protective gear or have certain elements that can be harmful to pets.

2. Remove broadleaf weeds as soon as possible

Broadleaf weeds are normally very obvious if they sprout in your lawn. A common type of broadleaf weed is the dandelion. Though you might think they look pretty, they’re not the best for a healthy lawn. In order to protect your lawn from widespread broadleaf weed growth, you can use granular weed control products. If you just have a few that have sprouted, you can probably remove them by hand. The best time to apply granular weed control is typically in the morning – when there’s heavy dew – so that the moisture can help the product stick to the weed leaves.

3. Water your lawn early in the day

Another good early morning lawn maintenance practice is watering. If you water your lawn earlier in the morning, then it allows the daytime sun to help dry the grass. You don’t want the grass to stay soaked for too long (i.e., if you watered at night) because it can suffocate the blades and cause disease growth. Rather than drowning your lawn all at once, it’s better to give it less water over a longer period of time. To make sure you’re giving your lawn the perfect amount of water, try the soup test – place an empty soup can next to your sprinkler and let it fill up about 0.5 inches before turning your sprinklers off.

4. Mow your grass frequently (but leave it long)

Mowing your grass shorter might seem like the more time efficient option, but it is worse for your lawn. Longer grass is typically healthier and can prevent weed growth as well. A good lawnmowing rule of thumb is to leave two-thirds of the blade intact.  

5. Keep your lawnmower blades sharp

Sharper blades make for a cleaner cut. When the lawnmower blades get dull, they tend to tear the grass rather than cut it. Consequently, your lawn might look more grayish brown. The size of your lawnmower and the frequency that you mow can help you predict how often you will need to sharpen your mower blades. Check your mower blades after every few mows to make sure that they’re not frayed.

6. Take your dog on walks instead

Letting your dogs roam free in a fenced in yard can be a great way to help them expend some energy. However, keep in mind that dogs tend to leave their marks – showing up as dead yellow spots in your grass. Some owners prefer to train their dogs to use one spot in the yard. Others might take them on a walk to do their business before letting them run wild in the yard.

7. Fertilize during the right season (with the right amount)

Look for a mix of fast and slow-release fertilizers that can help them look greener quicker and make them healthier over time. Make sure that you’re feeding your lawn during the right season. For the most part, if you live in a more northern region, you should try to fertilize in the Fall and Spring. Southern regions should feed in the Spring and Summer. Also remember to use the proper amount of fertilizer, as specified on the package. Giving your lawn too much nitrogen can burn it.

The smallest changes can make the biggest difference – for both your lawn and the environment. All it takes is a little bit of extra care.

Sources: Lowes