Lawn Care Tips for Beginners: How to Start Your First Lawn From Seed
We all have that beautiful lawn grass at a house in our neighborhood that we all admire every time we pass by. You wonder how they achieved it and what you can do to make yours look as beautiful. You may wonder if they have more time in their hands to tend to their lawn than you do. A thought may have crossed your mind that they are probably retired and are able to put in more time in looking after their lawn.
The truth is that creating a lush lawn is not difficult and it can be achieved through the right techniques and tips. You can create an impressive green lawn in a short time and create a good atmosphere for your home. If you are looking to sell your home in the future, it is also a great way of improving your home’s value.
We have listed below the process you need to follow:
1. Know About Your Soil
Soil is the medium where your grass will grow. You will need to know what type it is and its components such as its nutrients, water retention capacity and fertility.
The best soil is that which drains water properly after the rains or as soon as you have finished watering the lawn. The nutrients in the soil are also an important aspect as they will make your lawn strong as it comes up. If possible you can take your soil to a soil testing laboratory where it will be analyzed and you will be given a report that indicates the soil structure composition.
2. Prepare the Soil and Fix Underlying Issues
To prepare the soil, you may use a mini digger that will not tire your body as it is light to hold. It is recommended that you dig and remove all weeds that may be beneath the surface, and remove the grass that you currently have. You should be keen on the removal of any other type of plant that may be present in your soil.
At this stage, you can also fix the drainage by raising your lawn to above the normal surface level of the earth. Having the raised surface ensures that water flows properly and you will not struggle with waterlogging which may kill your grass.
3. Pick the Best Grass Seed for Your Region
Every region in the US has a specific type of grass that does well there. The climate conditions on the east coast, for instance, are not the same as those of the west coast. Your local conditions will determine the best grass for your region.
There are many types of grass available in your local market and it is best to consult a grass specialist on the best variety to plant.
4. Apply the Seed the First Time
Applying seed for the first time is a delicate process that requires attention to detail. The best time to apply seed is just before the beginning of the end of summer. Natural rain is the best for grass because it contains nutrients that your grass needs. You can take advantage of applying seed just before the rains start.
5. Fertilizing – Feed Your Grasses Well
The results from your soil testing will reveal nutrients that your soil lacks. To create a good soil balance, you can apply fertilizer which will add nutrients that are required by your grass. You should apply the optimal recommended fertilizer so that your grass is well-fed with nutrients.
6. Fight Lawn Weeds
Once the grass grows, you are likely to notice that there are weeds growing on the lawn alongside the grass. Weeds are your greatest enemy. They can edge out the grass and even cause it to dry out. Once you notice the weeds you have two options.
The first is to spray herbicide that will completely vanquish all weeds and will only leave out the grass. You can also manually pluck the weeds from your garden if you have enough time for this. This may be a good time to relax in the garden working.
7. Mow for Grasses Height and Health
Your lawn will most likely grow unevenly due to seed distribution and other factors that may not be in your control. To ensure that you have a healthy lawn, you should start mowing it once it has grown off the ground. Mowing will help the grass grow evenly and beautifully.
8.Manage Water Carefully
Grass needs constant watering for it to grow properly and beautifully. While rainwater is the best, you will have dry months during summer and therefore you should manage your water source carefully. You should water the lawn in recommended intervals such as twice or thrice every week depending on which part of the US you are in.
9. Boost Your Lawn
During spring, it’s the best time to boost your lawn. It involves aerating, fertilizing (different types of fertilizer), scarifying and tidying up your garden. Boosting not only makes your grass strong but it also makes it beautiful to any eye.
10. The Best Time to Cut Grass
The best time to cut your lawn is mid-morning. By this time, the grass is likely to have dried out from the morning dew and will be ready for a trim. At this time, you will also have a lot of energy to work and you will be attentive to all the details.
In conclusion, you will learn new things about yourself through this process. Creating something and bringing it to life is deeply satisfying and an achievement. For each progress, there will be a milestone that you can look back to and celebrate. You will also learn many new things about yourself by starting your lawn from seed.
Growing your lawn from seed will test your patience but at the same time create a sense of achievement and something to be proud of when you finally make the garden beautiful. The front area of your house will be the envy of your neighbors.
