As homeowners, we are all interested in keeping our lawns looking their best, free of unsightly weeds and destructive lawn pests. But maintaining a healthy lawn is also important to the environment.
A 50-ft by 50-ft healthy lawn provides enough daily oxygen to meet the needs of a family of four. Grass cools naturally. Eight average-size lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning (the average home central air conditioner produces about 3 tons).
A well-managed lawn and landscape can boost the value of a home by as much as 15 percent.
Grasses reduce undesirable noise levels by 20 to 30 percent.
Healthy lawns absorb rainfall four to six times more effectively than farm fields. They return the moisture to the water table, where is can be used by everyone.
Weed-free lawns remove pollutants from the air, prevent water and wind erosion and the loss of precious topsoil, reduce allergens and the likelihood of insect bites and stings, absorb and reduce glare and act as a cushioned surface for outdoor activities and sports.
A healthy lawn is more than a just a thing of beauty, it is a vital living part of our environment that, with proper care, can improve the quality of life we enjoy and the cleanliness of our world.
Mowing
The best height to mow a lawn is determined by the height when mowing, but should be kept at a level of 2 to 2 1/2 inches. One-third of the height should be taken off during each cutting. When the grass is longer, bagging may be necessary to avoid an accumulation of clippings, but during the summer months, mulching is preferred as it allows the grass clippings to be recycled, providing extra nutrients for the lawn. Avoid cutting grass with dull mower blades. When the blades are dull, they shred the grass rather than cutting it. The shredded ends will then dry out giving the lawn a brownish tinge.
Watering
Generally, water for 1-1.5 hours once a week on each part of your lawn. Watering everyday can cause more harm than good as roots are not encouraged to grow more deeply in the soil. Daily sprinkling encourages shallow roots, which will increase the chance of burn during hot spells.
Watering should ideally be done in the early morning. Evenings are second best before 6 or 7 p.m. Watering too late at night leaves the lawn wet overnight which increases chance of fungus developing. NEVER water during the day, it wastes water through evaporation and can stress the lawn.
Once we have applied our slow-release granular fertilizer, please water your lawn. This is essential for quicker green up.
If you're having a long dry spell, either water regularly or don't water at all. If you don't water, your lawn will go dormant; you can bring it back to life when the drought is over. If you decide to water, be sure you water regularly and deeply. The worst thing you can do is tease your lawn with small amounts of water every now and then.