5 things to do right now for a beautiful lawn this summer, according to an expert
Discover everything you need to welcome greener pastures ahead.
When you own a home, there are few things more coveted than a lush landscape complete with a beautiful lawn. But how exactly do you get green grass, how quickly does grass grow, and how often should you plan to mow? Read on for expert lawn care tips and top-rated lawn and garden products that will help get your grass in gear for impromptu barbecues and beyond this spring and summer.
MySoil Soil Test Kit
Simple Lawn Solutions Lawn Food
Rain Bird In-Ground Automatic Sprinkler System Kit
Greenworks 18" Corded Electric 12 Amp Push Lawn Mower
Eco Garden Pro Organic Vinegar Weed Killer
Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control
Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide
What is the secret to a perfect lawn?
It’s hard not to feel disheartened when you walk out the door or drive up to your house and are met with large patches of frail, dry grass — especially when spring emerges and people tend to spend more time with friends and family outdoors. But Bob Mann, a technical expert for the National Association of Landscape Professionals and one of the nation’s leading lawn care experts, would challenge you to set aside your notions of what a lawn should look like and try to “embrace the brown.”
As Mann explains it, “your lawn has a built-in protection mechanism: dormancy.” He notes that grass tends to react to cold winter weather by stopping growth — but that's normal. However, this means that your lawn will turn brown for a while before it springs back to life.
What is the fastest way to grow grass?
While there’s no definitive timeline for how long it will take to get your grass back (some experts estimate 3-4 weeks), Mann assures us that “in almost all cases, your lawn will wake up just fine.”
That said, it doesn’t hurt to show your lawn a little TLC in the process, so we asked Mann for a breakdown of some steps you can take right now to set your grass up for success this summer. These five lawn care tips and essential products will ensure the grass remains greener (and fuller and healthier) on your side of the fence all season long.
1. Do a soil test
This DIY kit provides test tubes, instructions and a prepaid envelope so it's a cinch to take your own soil sample and mail it to MySoil's lab for testing. Just grab a garden trowel and a bucket, and get digging. In six to eight days, you'll receive a link to your online results, plus personalized recommendations for organic and synthetic fertilizers. So easy!
"Great test," said a five-star reviewer. "Directions were easy to follow and the submittal of the sample was easy. I received results in less than a week. My lawn care guy was impressed and we have adjusted the fertilizer to improve lawn color and growth."
To get to the root of your lawn’s health, you’ve got to assess the state of the soil. That means doing a soil test. “Think of it this way: when you go to the doctor, the first thing she does is to order tests to see what’s going on inside your body and outside her view,” says Mann.
He tells Yahoo Life that a soil test does the same thing — it tells you what your lawn needs to thrive. A soil test can determine things like your soil’s pH level, nutrient deficiencies and other fertility factors. Ideally, a solid test should be done in a laboratory. “That's going to give you a great deal of information about the health of your solid and a roadmap to proceed,” he says. (The DIY kit above contains a prepaid envelope so you can send your sample to a lab for proper testing.)
2. Fertilize according to your lawn's specific needs
This liquid lawn food can be used to nourish any type of grass and is specifically formulated for the spring and summer months. Reviewers say it's especially effective in regions with very hot summers.
"Saves my lawn every spring!" exclaimed this green thumb. "We live in South Florida and the dry spring weather is hard on our grass. I use this fertilizer a few times each spring and the grass grows back thicker and greener. This product saves my yard from becoming a mud hole."
When it comes to fertilizer, timing is everything. "Wait until you see new green tissue (leaves) before applying and only in accordance with the results of your soil test," says Mann. "What you want to avoid is applying fertilizer too early when the plants are still dormant and not able to take up the fertilizer by their roots."
He notes that the United States has many different climates, so there's no one-date-fits-all approach here. That's why you should use the results of your specific soil test to determine the nutrient needs of your lawn — in other words, which and how much fertilizer is needed. "You may be surprised how little fertilizer is necessary to achieve excellent results. Fertilizer timing is critical as well," he explains.
3. Irrigate your lawn with intention
Put the task of watering on autopilot with the set-it-and-forget-it option. It waters a space of up to 3,000 square feet evenly, helping to give your lawn proper hydration over the long haul. Reviewers also say it’s easy to install and adjust.
“I was quoted 3K for an irrigation system. Bought this kit and although it took some trenching, the system works great. It exceeded my expectations. It provides full coverage. The parts are of good quality, easy to understand and operate. I do not foresee any trouble up ahead. I would highly recommend it!” wrote one verified customer.
It can be tempting to power up the hose in an effort to expedite growth, but Mann cautions against making any sudden moves. “If you’ve been irrigating all along, keep doing it — but make sure you are watering wisely and only when needed,” he says.
He also encourages watering your lawn deeper and less frequently versus the other way around: when you water less frequently, roots respond by drilling deeper into the soil looking for water; when you water more deeply, it gets into the soil and is less apt to evaporate. As the weather gets warmer, the NALP recommends watering your lawn in the early mornings or evenings after sunset to minimize evaporation.
4. Don’t over-mow your grass
This hardworking electric mower is eco-friendly (no gas or oil!) and gets the job done. Its 12-amp motor also means you'll never run out of power, and it features an 18-inch cutting path with seven different cutting heights.
"Awesome, awesome, awesome," said a happy homeowner. "This lawnmower does a fantastic job. My lawn is super thick and the grass was about 10 inches tall and it went through it like it was nothing! Very quiet to run and very light for a lawnmower. Plus, no more messing with gasoline or dirty carburetors."
When it comes to cutting your grass, Mann says taller is generally better. Back in the fall, the expert admonished us not to “scalp” our lawns and the same applies now, as cutting grass too short eliminates the tips of the blades, which conduct photosynthesis.
“Using the highest setting on your mower will help preserve roots, keeping the soil surface cooler and less prone to weed germination,” he adds.
5. Protect your lawn from weed and insect damage
“Scouting is key to detecting damaging populations of insects, weeds and diseases,” says Mann. He recommends hiring professionals to treat your lawn, as “they know what to look for and how to repair the damage.”
If you’re determined to go the DIY route, a little research can also go a long way. According to Mann, you’ll want to “educate yourself of which weeds, insects and diseases you’re dealing with, so that you can select the proper product and technique to get effective control.”
Top products for protecting your lawn
According to Mann, the best way to ward off weeds is to maintain a lawn that’s so thick, there’s no room for them to grow. If you’re dealing with an overgrown situation, consider this kid- and pet-safe weed killer from Eco Garden your new secret weapon.
Containing natural white vinegar, organic rock salt, biodegradable plant activators and fermentation-derived co-factors, the formula also guarantees results within 24 hours.
Toss out those zappers, foggers and toxic bug sprays! For pest control, Amazon shoppers adore Wondercide EcoTreat Outdoor Pest Control Spray Concentrate. It eliminates all kinds of critters — from chinch bugs to Japanese beetles — that are notorious for eating away at all of your hard work.
Mighty Mint's plant-derived concentrates rely on natural ingredients and powerful essential oils like peppermint oil, which repels insects.
Scoop up this fungicide to say goodbye to fungus, Brown Patch, Stem and Stripe Rust, Red Thread, Powdery Mildew, Necrotic Ring Spot, Summer Patch, Yellow Patch and more.
The top-rated Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide takes on the myriad of bio-invaders that threaten your lawn. And a 10-pound bag — enough to cover 5,000 square feet — should be all you need.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
