5 Easy Steps to a Beautiful Lawn

Having a beautiful healthy lawn adds curb appeal and provides a wonderful backdrop for outdoor activities. Here are 5 easy steps you can do this year to keep your lawn looking beautiful all season. 

1. Rake

I know it is not the most exciting way to spend an afternoon, but raking your lawn with a flexible metal or plastic rake will help remove invasive weeds, reduce thatch, and aerates the lawn. Be sure not to rake too hard in the spring when the lawn is tender, or you will damage the existing grass roots.  Rake with consistent strokes letting the tines of the rake do the work.

2. Overseed

It is a good idea to walk your lawn in the spring and identify any bare spots from last season.  Use a metal rake with rigid tines to agitate and loosen the soil in those areas.  If possible, add an inch or two of topsoil in the area you just worked.  Then add a generous amount of seed to the area and work it in with a rake until it mostly disappears.  Place a sprinkler in the affected areas and set it on a timer to water for 20 minutes twice a day.  Within a week you will see new healthy grass sprout.

3. Lime

Grass grows best in a neutral soil and grows poorly in acidic soil.  Therefore, it is important to test the soil acidity level in the spring and late summer especially if there are pine trees or shade trees like maple on the property.  If the soil is acidic apply a dolomite or calcitic lime powder or granules to the lawn with a spreader. Doing this twice a year will, over time improve the alkalinity of your soil producing a healthier greener lawn.

4. Feed

Applying a quality fertilizer in the spring will improve your lawn’s roots system.  It also gives the lawn a nutrient boost to help recover from its dormant state and transition to its vegetative state.  There are hundreds of products available to choose from but, a simple 10-10-10 mixture will give the lawn the nutrients it needs to stay healthy all season long.

5. Water

Arguably the number one way to a healthy show-stopping lawn is adequate water. Unfortunately, many people skip or forget this important step.  Also, many cities and towns have ordinances limiting the use of water for lawns.  If possible, water the lawn thoroughly 3 times a week for 30 minutes in the morning or evening.  Avoid watering in the middle of the day when the sun is high, which can cause scorching of the lawn.