Author: Paul Escobedo

You need not be disappointed year after year the look of your lawn. By changing the way you think about your lawn you can develop an action plan for maintaining it. Your lawn is like a crop that is harvested each week. With proper nutrition, water and care you’ll see great results.

Early in the spring, start with a pH test in order to determine the acid or alkaline level of the soil; a level of 6.5 is ideal. It may be necessary to decrease the soil’s acidity by raising the pH. This can be done by applying lime. Next, enrich the soil with a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer. Spreading a pre-emergent herbicide will help to contain and eradicate weed problems before they start – corn gluten meal serves as both a fertilizer and weed suppressor.

Be sure to always sweep chemicals from the pavement when you are done using. This will keep harmful chemicals form making their way to pollute water. Also check with a nursery for help in timing applications correctly, particularly of herbicides. A great indicator that soil temperature is on the rise is to watch for blooming forsythias in your neighborhood. This means weeds will be germinating soon and the time has come to spread fertilizer with pre-emergent. You do not want to lay down grass seed for a month or so allowing for the herbicide to lose its kick. Alternatively, you may choose to spread seed in the fall instead.

In most of the country it is a good idea to pass fertilizer a second time at the end of summer or early in the fall. Make a final application in late fall or early winter, before any freezing occurs. This will give your lawn a head start in the spring. Unless you live in a very warm region, take a break during the winter.

Final cuts:

• Use four to six inches of topsoil
• For healthy roots, the grass leaf must be tall enough to push photosynthesis
• For cool regions, blends of fescue with Kentucky bluegrass are nice, or try other blends with perennial rye.
• Set sharp mower blades to the right height to reduce damage to leaf tips

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Win the Lawn Battle