Lawn Maintenance

Having trouble with your regular lawn maintenance and care? Have more brown patches and bare dirt than you'd care to admit? If so, you're not the only one; many homeowners wish they had the lush, green yards they see in those lawn care commercials and yet so few actually have a yard they can show off to the neighbors.It would seem as if lawn maintenance would be easier than it actually is; grass is not terribly difficult to grow and often seems to spring up in areas where it receives no care, such as in cracks of the driveway or sidewalk or even in wooded rural areas. Typically problems with lawn maintenance boil down to just a few common mistakes that homeowners make, and understanding these can help anyone to have a lush, green yard. Know Your Grass How many types of grass do you think cover lawns today? If you were thinking that grass is grass, then you may be making one very common mistake when it comes to lawn maintenance and care. There are actually several different types of grass that are used on residential and commercial lawns, and they all respond different to care and treatment. For example, there is bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue types of grass that are commonly used in yards. For proper lawn maintenance it's good to know the type that is planted in your yard. These types are considered cold season grasses, meaning they grow better in areas with milder summers. Warm season grasses would include Bermuda and carpet grass.

These are better in climates that have warmer, longer summers. For the right lawn maintenance it's good to know the type of grass that is already planted in your yard and if new turf would be a better match for your climate. Know Your Soil People often typically water their lawn and mow it once a week, and do little else as far as lawn maintenance is concerned. But you need to know your soil and take additional measures to care for it properly so that the grass will grow. Much like plants in a garden need proper care to thrive, your lawn maintenance may need to include more than watering and mowing for a lush, green lawn. Typical lawn maintenance steps include aerating the lawn to break up compacted soil.

This is important because water cannot travel properly through compacted soil, so the roots of the lawn do not get enough soil if it's not aerated properly. Other lawn maintenance steps include raking the lawn even in the spring and summer, to remove dead grass and other debris that may be choking new growth. Fertilizing the lawn and using helpful pesticides may also be in order. Typically in cases where this is necessary, it's good to get the assistance of a professional that can examine and inspect the lawn properly. He or she can make a recommendation for lawn maintenance so you're sure you're using the right materials for your lawn in particular.