Home Tip Tuesday: The Perfect Summer Lawn

Test and amend the soil for a healthy lawn.

In some neighborhoods, a green lawn is the true measure of a homeowner's pride. The lawn is the place where kids play, where backyard gatherings happen and where many family memories are made. It's not too late to get your lawn in shape for summer-even if you're starting from scratch-if you don't mind putting in a little work. You could hire a professional service to tend your grass, but lawn care is a simple DIY project anyone can master.



Dirt Poor? 
If you're putting in a brand new lawn, don't skip the all-important step of testing your soil. In many areas you can get this done for free by calling local cooperative extension offices. If that option's not available, affordable do-it-yourself soil kits can be found at most garden shops. Amending the soil so it can best support a healthy crop of grass will mean less weeding, feeding and fussing in the future.

Research what seed type works best in your area.

What's Your Type?
When it comes to lawn, seed types are not all equal - not equally suited for your growing region anyway. If you don't know fescue about Bermuda, speak with a knowledgeable expert at your garden center and learn which type of grass grows best in your area. Have you got a neighbor's whose perfect lawn gives turns you green with envy? Ask them what type of grass they're growing. If it flourishes in their yard it's probably a good choice for yours.

Tips on General Care
The new lawn is in, but some patches are bare, or maybe the existing lawn is looking anemic. Don't reach for a can of green spray paint or go overboard with the nitrogen fertilizer. Just follow these suggestions for regular care:

*  In most regions, a lawn needs about one inch of water every week in order for the root system to grow strong and deep. Frequent, shallow watering actually causes a shallow root system and leaves the lawn vulnerable to a host of problems

Generally lawns need 1 inch of water per week.

*  Like all plants, grass requires food. Fertilize in the cooler weeks of spring and fall to avoid burns. A broadcast spreader is an easy way to apply fertilizer evenly and quickly. Follow directions for your specific brand, but as a general rule of thumb, remember to spread the fertilizer just over the edges of the lawn's perimeter and don't fertilize the same area twice 

*  Sparse, shady areas can be fixed by planting a second kind of shade-friendly seed. It's alright, two kinds of grass can exist in the same yard


One of the best lawn care tips benefits both you and the grass. Don't cut it so often! This advice might seem surprising, but lawn that's kept at about 2 inches long is healthier and requires less care overall. 

For more home and garden tips visit homechanneltv.com.