The grass is always greener — on the other side of the fence, the street, or in a neighbor’s yard. But why not in your yard? If the weeds do so well, why does the lawn do so poorly? With the proper lawn maintenance regime, you too can have a lawn to be envied by all.
Weeds detract from the beauty of a lawn, and need to be prevented or eliminated. As a rule, the thicker the lawn, the fewer weeds will grow. Most weed seeds need sunlight to germinate. Having a thick, tall lawn prevents sunlight from getting down to the soil where the weed seeds lie.
To encourage a thick lawn, it is important to set the lawn mower at the proper height. The correct mowing height for fescue lawns is about three inches. Bluegrass lawns can be maintained at two and one-half inches. Bermuda should be mowed at one and one-half inches. The newer dwarf fescues can be maintained between two and three inches. Mowing heights may be lowered slightly during the winter months.
Fertilizing will help keep the grass lush and green. Feed monthly throughout the winter and every six weeks during the warm months. Alternate fertilizer formulations according to the time of the year. Use higher strength nitrate fertilizers in the winter. During the summer, use milder, lower nitrogen fertilizers. In the spring and fall, use fertilizers containing sulfur and iron.
Weed and feed fertilizers may be used once the weeds have sprouted. Pre-emergent weed and feed fertilizers prevent weed seeds from germinating. A pre-emergent is best used in August and again in February, prior to the weed seeds sprouting.
Watering is a very touchy subject here in Santa Clarita. It is best to soak lawns deeply, but less often. Lawns do not need or want to be watered daily, except for during the hottest days of summer. A deep watering, perhaps fifteen minutes or longer, every other day is much better than five minutes twice a day, every day.
If you are watering your lawn properly, feeding regularly with the correct fertilizer, controlling weeds, and mowing it at the right height, the grass will always be greener on your side of the fence!
For additional information, consult the garden professionals at Green Thumb Garden Center, located at 23734 Newhall Ave. (Formerly San Fernando Rd.)