Lawns are an American icon and provide many benefits: they beautify neighborhoods, have a cooling effect in summer and improve flood control. To thrive, lawns need healthy soil, watered correctly, fertilized appropriately, and weed-free.

The best time to water is early morning so the sun can quickly dry the grass. A weekly soaking encourages deep roots and reduces thatch.

Watering

Watering a lawn properly is crucial to its health and appearance. A well-hydrated property is thicker, fuller and greener than one that is drought-stressed or overwatered. Lawns should get all the water they need from natural precipitation and only occasional supplemental irrigation. However, many homeowners fall into the trap of watering based on a set schedule rather than letting the turf tell them it needs more or less moisture.

It is also important to understand that soil conditions and weather can impact your lawn’s watering needs. For example, shady and cool soils may need more water than sunny and exposed soils. It’s also important to realize that watering too frequently can be more harmful than not watering enough. Excess surface moisture invites fungal diseases and mosses to take hold, and shallow roots are more susceptible to drought stress.

The best time of day to water your lawn is in the early morning, as this prevents evaporation and allows the water to soak into the ground before it bakes under the sun. You can check the moisture level in your soil by pushing a probe or old screwdriver into the turf. Moist grass will spring back up, while dry turf will stay flat. It would help if you watered so the soil is moistened 6 inches down.

Fertilizing

A healthy lawn is more than just an aesthetic delight – it provides many environmental and health benefits. Whether you have invasive weeds, insect infestations or dry/bare spots, proper lawn care includes a strategic fertilization plan can help restore and maintain your yard’s vigor.

Fertilizer is the food for grass, delivering the essential nutrients it needs to thrive. Most fertilizers provide the primary macronutrients of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. However, plants require 17 nutrients critical to survive and grow.

When choosing a fertilizer, it’s important to understand that there are many different types on the market, all with their specific benefits. There are synthetic and organic products in slow-release and fast-release varieties. Some even contain micronutrients for improved soil quality.

A good time to apply fertilizer is in the spring when the ground temperature reaches about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the soil temperature with a soil thermometer or by watching for the lilacs to bloom, as they are an excellent indicator that it’s time to feed your lawn.

If you’ve recently reseeded your lawn, you’ll want to use a special product designed for reseeding, which typically contains a high ratio of phosphorous to nitrogen to encourage root growth and combat disease. Avoid using a general fertilizer in shady areas, as it may lead to an overgrowth of weeds and other undesirable plants.

Weeding

Weeds grow much faster than grass and landscape plants, which suck up the soil’s nutrients and access sunlight before your desired vegetation can. This can weaken the plant and cause it to be less able to fight off common diseases or pest infestations. Additionally, weeds produce many more seeds than the plants you want in your yard. If you allow them to continue growing, the problem will worsen, and your yard can quickly become overrun with unwanted plants.

In addition to their unsightly appearance, weeds compete with your desired plants for water and nutrients, leading to reduced growth and plant death. They also serve as a home for pests and diseases that can be spread to your desired vegetation. When weeds are eliminated, pests and conditions will have more difficulty finding hiding spots to live, and your lawn and garden will be healthier and more attractive.

Weeds are more likely to take hold in areas where the grass is thin or in compacted soil where roots can’t penetrate. If you have a weed problem, try addressing the underlying issue by adding organic material to the soil and working to aerate the soil to improve drainage. In addition, consider reseeding and resodding the yard to promote healthy grass and make it harder for weeds to take hold.

Mowing

Keeping up with regular residential lawn mowing is one of the most important things you can do to keep your property’s grass healthy. You’ve heard the saying that you get out of a yard what you put into it – and this is especially true of the lawn. By mowing on a scheduled schedule and maintaining the correct height for your type of turf, you help promote healthy growth all year long.

It also helps prevent pest infestations. Tall grass and wild growth can give bugs a place to hide and breed, causing damage or even ruining your yard’s appearance. A lawn regularly mowed to a proper height will reduce the chances of this happening by providing an uncomfortable home for these undesirables.

Having the right equipment, knowledge of the mowing process, and time to keep up with your property’s grass can make a huge difference in your yard’s appearance. For example, a commercial mower with a bagging attachment can help you properly cut and dispose of grass to reduce thatch buildup and other potential problems.

In addition to mowing, a professional service will usually include edging around fence lines, shrubs and lawn ornaments. It will also likely take care of debris cleanup, including raking leaves, bagging and blowing them off the property as part of its standard services. Many services offer additional lawn care treatments, such as weed control products, insect and disease controls, annual dethatching and spring fertilizing. These may be needed if your yard struggles with specific issues, such as grubs or beetles, which can quickly ruin a healthy lawn.