Lawn Care and Maintenance
The first decision in creating a new lawn it to determine its use, and lawn care will be a critical factor in keeping it in prime condition. There are fine ornamental lawns which are created from fine lawn grasses, and are suited to areas that need to look good and only receive minimal use. Then there is the family lawn that is able to withstand a large amount of use from children or receives plenty of wear and tear, and then there is the lawn that has been created to overcome existing problems such as a wet or shady areas.
Grass Seed Or Turf
Once the use of the lawn has been identified, the next step is to decide how to create the lawn, with seed or turf. You can obtain quicker results with turf and the advantage is you are not restricted by the time of year. There are several different mixtures of grass seed depending on your preference and what the lawn is going to be used for. Sowing a lawn is a cheaper alternative to laying turf. Just make sure that your lawn is neither too wet nor too dry in between waterings. The best time to plan on seeding a new lawn is in late summer. Adding soil to an existing lawn is called top-dressing.
The best way to achieve an even cover is to mark out the area into metre squares using canes and strings. Then with a small handful of seed sprinkle onto the ground so that the area is covered evenly. Next lightly rake in, then using a roller or your feet compact the area again so that the seed makes good contact with the soil to aid germination.
Lawn Maintenance
A healthy green lawn is a most welcome sight and a great asset for any home. A well established, properly maintained lawn is naturally free of weeds, pest resistant, and the most efficient way to keep weeds and diseases at bay.
Moss occurs if the lawn is shady, badly compacted, damp or too short. Aeration is especially important in clay-based soils as it tends to get compacted easily, and a compacted lawn is more prone to weed infestations.
The best time to repair bare spots is in the early spring when the air is still cool and the lawn is just starting to grow. Feeding the lawn is one of the key lawn maintenance jobs, as grass needs a continuous supply of nutrients in just the right balance to enable proper growth and development. A high percentage of nitrogen by itself is not a problem, assuming the amount put down on the lawn is adjusted accordingly.
As winter approaches you will notice that your lawn is growing much more slowly, and maintenance of the lawn should continue. The best time to fertilize a lawn is when it is actively growing. The best way to prevent future weed invasions in the lawn is to maintain a thick, healthy turf. We recommend that you fertilize your lawn every three months, or it's appearance is less vibrantly green. The best way to determine a fertilization program for your lawn is to take a soil test.
Lawn mowers
Rotary mowers and corded mowers are by far the most popular type of lawn mowers. Corded mowers are the least expensive, however you will need a very long extension cord if you have a large lawn. Lawn Mowers with self-propel systems can take much of the strain out of mowing the lawn, and they don't have to break the bank.
It can be a lot of work to do yourself, but a beautiful, well-maintained lawn is worth it. Lawn care carried out on a regularly will make life a lot easier. Try to avoid using herbicides after the lawn is seeded and until it is well established. The lawn is a very prominent and important part of the home landscape, and just like raising children methods of care can vary widely.