Lawn Care for Beginners

While it may look easy to a novice, taking care of one's lawn requires patience, understanding and strategy. Lawns are susceptible to all kinds of threats to their healthy growth, from pests to weeds and other external factors. This is why it’s important that individuals learn the steps to lawn care for beginners. Without any foundational lawn care practices, beginners in lawn care can’t be proactive stewards of their land and grass. Check out our list of “Lawn Care for Beginners” tips to get acquainted with the necessary steps property owners must take to secure their lawn’s health and future.

Fertilize Properly

Growing a healthy, flourishing lawn isn’t the simplest or easiest thing to do. The grass in your lawn is exposed to a wide range of elements that can make it tough to grow as green as it can. Elements like precipitation, wind and hot, dry weather can all impact your lawn in ways you can’t control. Therefore, it’s usually a good idea to use a high-quality fertilizer on your lawn to give it the extra boost it needs to prosper. Applying a good fertilizer to your lawn supplies it with the nitrogen it needs to stay healthy. Soil tests and fertilizer labels should instruct you on the right amounts of fertilizer to apply to your grass; make sure to apply just enough throughout the annual cycle.

Mow at the Appropriate Grass Height

Lawn mowing is often misinterpreted to be a menial, boring task that requires no strategy. On the contrary, mowing the lawn is something that must be done right and prioritized. Did you know that in warmer climates, high summer temperatures can damage grass’s roots if they’re not protected with ample levels of shade? Grass that is too exposed to the elements can even become more vulnerable to pests, diseases and even weed infestations. This is why, in the warmer months, it’s customary for property owners in hot areas to keep grass height relatively tall. This helps keep the grass insulated from damage.

On the flipside, best practices suggest that property owners cut grass lower during the colder months of the year. Pennington.com suggests to “gradually lower your mower blades back to normal mowing heights as temperatures cool. Stop mowing your lawn in fall when your grass stops growing.” Remember, however, that grass cutting lengths do vary by grass type. Because of this, it is important to do your due diligence and research the grass in your lawn before diving right into a new mowing routine.

Avoid Overwatering (or Underwatering)

In modern times, automated sprinkler systems give property owners the unique opportunity to outsource the watering of their lawns. Though this may be an easy, stress-free solution to lawn watering, it’s important to note that a lawn’s watering needs should be addressed carefully and strategically. Overwatering a lawn or watering it too soon after rain showers can actually do more harm than good. According to GardeningKnowHow.com, “overwatering the lawn drowns the grass plants and can cause yellow or bare spots in your lawn.” Pennington.com claims that overwatering one’s lawn can starve the grass of oxygen, causing the plants to actually suffocate. It also suggests that too much water makes your grass more susceptible to disease and the presence of fungus. Don’t put your lawn at risk by overwatering or underwatering it. Check out our article on the “Best Time & Schedule To Water Grass” for expert recommendations on best lawn watering practices.

Combat Weed Growth Strategically

The presence of weeds in your lawn can become an irritating nuisance rather quickly. Weeds steal nutrients, water and soil placement from the grass that needs it. By competing with grass for these resources, weeds very often result in dead, unhealthy grass. If you’re a lawn care beginner, try relying on curated spot treatments if you ever have any problems with weeds sprouting in your yard. Just make sure that your spot treatment solution matches up with the type of weed that’s arisen, and make sure to follow the instructions listed on the product. With a vigilant weed-out strategy, there’ll be no need to apply pre-emergent weed controllers. Just keep a lookout for suspicious threats to your lawn and handle them accordingly.

Stay Consistent: The Key to Lawn Care for Beginners

Lawn care is not a passive process in which you work on your lawn when you feel like it. All grasses are susceptible to environmental threats that will need to be addressed ASAP when issues arise. Likewise, the seasonal development of grass causes it to grow and recede differently as the year goes on. At the very least, stay on top of your lawn care routine by adhering to a weekly mowing and trimming schedule. Also, pay attention to your yard and the needs it develops over time. If a group of weeds arises, address the problem before it gets out of your control. If the grass starts to dry up and turn yellowish, water that grass more consistently. Plants are living organisms that change as time goes on, so be sure to keep a watchful eye out for your lawn’s plants and the elements they need for successful growth.

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