Turf Maintenance 101: A Simple Guide

Keeping your lawn healthy and green can be a challenge, but with the proper turf maintenance this task is an easy one. Identifying the proper steps for caring for your grass just takes a little bit of research, and just like that you can be on your way to better turf in your lawn. To help you achieve the lawn you’ve always dreamed of, take the time to learn about the best turf maintenance practices for your yard.

Here are some simple turf maintenance tips for your lawn:

Know your lawn

No two lawns are exactly the same, and care requirements can vary greatly from one yard to the next. Even your neighbor’s lawn may require a totally different type of turf maintenance than your own. There are many individual factors that affect the type of care that your lawn requires, these include:

• Grass type – There are dozens of varieties of grass seeds, all of which have different ideal heights and care requirements.
• Soil type – Because of the vast differences in terrain throughout the country there are many soil types, and some grass and plants grow better in some than in others. Certain soil types may require more frequent fertilization, aeration or watering.
• Local rain and snowfall patterns – The amount of precipitation that your town receives throughout the year is a huge factor in the health of your lawn. If you live in an area that experiences large amounts of rainfall, you should have a type of grass that thrives in these moist conditions. If drought is common you’ll need to irrigate often or select a more resilient type of grass.
• Average high/low temperatures – If you live in a part of the country that experiences extreme high or low temperatures, this will be a huge factor in caring for your lawn. These extremes are very hard on grass, and you may need to adjust your turf maintenance patterns during these times of year in order for your lawn to remain healthy.
• Local pest and weed threats – Pests and weeds can do a lot of damage to your lawn. Weeds fight for space and nutrients, and certain types of pest can attack the grass and ornamentals in your yard. Being aware of the type of threats that are present in your area is important, this way you know what signs of damage to look for as well as the best steps to take if these invasive species become an issue.

Know when to mow

Mowing your lawn too frequently can cause major damage, and neglecting to mow it often enough can be just as bad. Knowing the right time to mow your lawn will solve many of your turf-related headaches, and the timing depends on how quickly your grass grows. Each time you mow, you should only be removing 1/3rd of the total length of each blade of grass. By following this simple rule you will never have to worry that you are mowing at the wrong time.

Each type of grass seed has an ideal length, make sure you are aware of this length before you begin planning a lawn care schedule. Some simple math will tell you the maximum length that blades of grass should reach before its time to mow again. Other tips for ideal mowing include never using your lawn mower when soil is moist, and knowing when you should save your clippings.

Keeping all of these factors in mind as you care for your lawn is the best way to ensure a yard that thrives all year long. If these turf maintenance tips overwhelm you, consider getting in touch with a lawn care company. They’ll be able to help you identify the best practices for your lawn, as well as point out steps and products that you should be avoiding.