Every homeowner wants a lush lawn to call their own. Well-kept lawns add curb appeal to any home, prevent soil erosion, and provide beautiful spaces for outdoor fun. If your lawn isn't living up to your expectations, read on for a few tips on the finer points of caring for lawn and grass rolls Edmonton homeowners need to know.
1. Lay Sod in the Fall
If you've been struggling to get your lawn up to its best to no avail, laying sods in the fall is the best way to get the results you want. At this time of year, cool temperatures and occasional rain give your new grass every opportunity to take root and thrive. It's best to get advice from an expert in your area with regard to how much and what type of grass should work best for you.
2. Don't Cut Your Lawn Too Short
It's important to never cut off more than a third of the grass stalk when you mow your lawn. If you cut it too short, you run the risk of depleting your lawn's energy reserves and water. It also keeps the sun off the roots which protects the lawn from drying out. This makes it susceptible to disease and weed invasions.
3. Keep Your Mower Blades Sharp
What's more, ensure your mower's blades are sharp enough to cut through your lawn cleanly. Blunt blades will tear your lawn instead of cutting it clean. A ragged cut damages the grass and looks unattractive.
4. Test Your Soil
Buy a test kit and test your soil regularly. Ideally, you should do this before you lay your grass sods as well as before fertilizing. A soil test helps you to decide which type of fertilizer you need to apply to ensure your lawn's wellbeing. When in doubt consult a lawn care expert with regard to the correct type of feeding for your lawn.
5. Fertilize Three times a Year
Most people think it's only necessary to fertilize their lawn during the growing season. The truth is, your lawn needs extra nutrients to help it survive when it's dormant too. It's best to fertilize your lawn once during the spring when the ground thaws, once during the growing season, and once again about three weeks before your last mowing of the season. Ensure that you water in the fertilizer to ensure that it reaches the roots of the grass. Ensure that you choose the best fertilizer for each time of the year. Many fertilizer products now have a type for each season that is labeled to reflect the season it should be used. For example the spring mix will have more nitrogen to ensure that it gets a boost right after winter.
6. Remove Excess Grass Clippings
Lawns thrive on air and light. Rake off extra thatch in the spring or remove it with de-thatching equipment. Leaving some clippings on the grass are good but if there are two many clippings it can damage the grass and hamper growth.
This helps your grass make the most of sunshine, water, and nutrients.
7. Guard Against Weeds
Weeds rob your grass of nutrients. Use a pre-emergent herbicide to control weeds before they take root during the growing season. A spray-on herbicide helps control any weeds that emerge after that.
8. Read Labels Carefully
Always check that any herbicide or fertilizer you use is suitable for lawns. Many commercially-available herbicides target weeds that share similarities with lawn grasses. Non-selective herbicides that aren't specifically designed for lawns will kill your grass too.
Finding the Best Sod in Edmonton Offers
Excellent quality sods are the starting point of all great lawns. So if you want your lawn to get off to a great start, get in touch with Sturgeon Valley Sod. We're the experts on lawn and grass rolls Edmonton homeowners rely on. Get in touch for more information on how to lay sods and ensure your lawn stays in great condition all year round.