7 Gardening tips for the perfect lawn

Summer has just begun and having a luscious green lawn is on everyone’s minds. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing but it also regulates temperature and purifies the air. Here are the best  tips to follow to get a green and healthy lawn: 

1. Mow the grass regularly 

Regular mowing of the lawn is very important as it helps thicken the grass. It is best to mow the lawn little and often. The ideal mowing height varies during the season. In the summer, it is recommended to leave the grass a little bit longer (around 8 cm). This way, it will be less vulnerable to drought, insects, weeds and diseases. 

Useful tip: Sharpen or replace your mower blade at least once every mowing season. A dull blade tears the lawn and can affect the health and appearance of your grass. 

2. Aerate your lawn 

Lawns tend to become very compacted as a result of people and pets walking on it. Even mowing your lawn contributes to soil compaction. To prevent water drainage or nutrient absorption problems, it is important to aerate your lawn regularly. 

Aeration consists in making small holes in the top layer of the soil. This helps loosen the soil and promote better air circulation. This way, your grass will be able to get the nutrients it needs and microorganisms will help break down any thatch that builds up. It is recommended to aerate your lawn every year if you want a healthy grass. 

3. Water your lawn abundantly and less often 

If you want to improve your lawn’s health, it is very important that you water it regularly. The recommended frequency of watering will depend on the grass type and weather. Most lawns need around one inch of water a week, including rainfall. However, this may vary if you live in a hot and dry environment. It is preferable to water less often, but for longer periods of time. 

4. Remove weeds 

Frequent mowing is the best strategy for weed control. However, if you already have weeds in your garden, you should remove them. Here are some tips to help you get rid of weeds: 

• You should remove smaller weeds such as white clover with a manual scarifier. This will prevent and hinder their growth. 
• Weeds such as daisies and dandelions should be removed with a root weeder. It is best to extract as much as the root as you can to prevent the weed from growing back. 
• If the weeds won’t go away, you can turn to herbicides. You should contact a lawn care specialist to make sure the treatment is safe. 

5. Favor the use of natural fertilizers 

Natural fertilizers such as a kelp meal or compost are better for the environment and your grass. They are also safer and healthier for humans and animals than synthetic fertilizers. At the beginning of the growing season in spring, the lawn needs more nutrients so it is recommended to use a fertilizer that contains nitrogen, potassium, phosphate and magnesium to help the lawn become stronger. The fertilizer should be spread evenly on dry grass after mowing. Once spread, you should water abundantly. 

6. Make compost 

Composting your lawn clippings is a great way to reduce waste and provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs to grow healthily. You can make compost by using organic waste from your kitchen as well as your garden. It’s a cheap and effective way to make your grass greener. It also has many benefits: 

• It reduces the amount of organic matter that goes to landfills
• It improves water drainage in certain soils 
• It stimulates root growth 
• It makes the lawn less vulnerable to diseases and pests 
• It can balance the pH level of your lawn 
• It provides the necessary nutrients for the natural development of plants 
• It attracts beneficial organisms and insects 

7. Reseed if needed 

If it is impossible to recover the health of your lawn in some areas that are deteriorated, you should reseed. Make sure to remove the decayed grass and the soil before planting the new grass. After planting, it is important to water daily so that the seeds germinate properly. 

Need help with your lawn? 

If you need help with lawn maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact Vertdure. Our team has over 30 years of experience so you can be sure that your garden will be in good hands. We exceed very strict quality, safety and environmental standards.  

Vertdure is a pioneer in the development of high-performance lawn care products for grass maintenance. Our solutions comply with sustainable development principles.