Yes, taking care of your garden is another item on your to-do list, but we can all agree that in the end, it is worth effort. There isn’t a thing that can put a smile on your face as easily as a green and tidy yard can. Let’s be honest, you are never going to be able to completely unwind if you are surrounded by debris.
When it comes to improving the aesthetics of this area, there are numerous things that you can do – from planting colorful flowers to adding decorations and choosing the perfect set of patio furniture. Still, there is no point in doing any of these things if that beautiful shade of green color isn’t prevailing the scenery. If you are experiencing some problems with achieving this, then keep reading this article, because we are going to give you some tips.
Aerate the area
The first problem that you might be faced with is compacted soil. This sounds so serious, but it is something that is bound to occur and also a problem that can be easily solved. Why does this happen? Well, simply put, because you step on it daily, especially in the backyard where your kids and pets spend a lot of time.
When this happens, the air and water cannot circulate very well, which then means that the soil cannot absorb all the necessary nutrients, which is why the grass isn’t as green as it should be. In order to prevent this from happening, all you have to is to aerate the lawn i.e. to use the aerate tool to punch holes that are about 3 inches deep all across the yard.
Use fertilizers
Another important thing that not many people do is the fertilization of the grass. This is something that has to be done in the late spring and also the fall. Some of you might say that the fall is the wrong time for this but just think about it. When you repeat this process during this season, the grass has enough time to absorb all the nutrients and store them which will allow it to survive the harsh winter and grow beautifully in spring.
When it comes to fertilizers, nowadays, you have many options, but our advice is to choose the natural instead of the synthetic ones. Why? Well not only are they better for the environment, but they also work better. Plus, if you are growing some fruits or veggies close by, we cannot stress enough how healthy organic ones can be.
When spreading the chosen fertilizer, you have to follow the instructions closely. They are there for a reason and if you choose to ignore them, you can make things even worse. Make sure to spread it equally across the entire yard in order not to kill some grass by over-fertilizing, and leave the other areas without these nutrients.
Don’t forget about watering
This is a step that you shouldn’t skip by any means. Most people turn on their sprinklers once a day for only a few minutes, but actually, this is wrong. In order to promote the growth of the roots of the plants, you should water them more deeply but less frequently. What are we talking about?
You should try to water 4 to 6 inches of the soil. When it comes to time, this is something that you have to determine on your own. Clearly, some soil will need more time than the other, so you should perform a little test. All you have to do is to place small vials all around the lawn, turn the sprinklers on and wait to see how much time it will take to fill 1 inch of the water.
Instead of repeating this process every day, you should do it once, maybe twice a week. Of course, during hot summers you might have to do it a few times a week.
We have another piece of advice for you and that is to the water the lawn in the morning. Why? Well because the temperatures aren’t so high which means that the water will not evaporate quickly, but that there will be enough time for the soil to absorb it.
How to mow the grass?
Even though it might not seem like it, but the way you mow your lawn affects the quality of the grass. First of all, you have to ensure that the blades are sharp enough. Secondly, remember the problem of compacted soil we have discussed already? Well, cutting the grass in different directions every time is another thing you can do to prevent this from happening.
In addition, you shouldn’t cut it too short. Try to keep it between 3 and 3.5 inches, because if you cut it to be shorter than that, well then it will not be able to grow strong roots and also to retain the moisture which is of crucial importance. Lastly, do not throw the clippings away! Some people might think that these make the yard look messy, but in reality, they are extremely beneficial. Yes, we know, there is a container on your lawnmower, but you should take it off, and never use it. When left behind these act as a mulch which is full of water and nutrients.
Why not add some plants?
We have got one final suggestion for you. If you think that your backyard is not only green enough but also empty, meaning that there is a lot of available space, why not plant some trees and shrubs? Yes, you will have to wait for quite some time for these to grow, but it will be worth the wait.
Furthermore, if you want to create a natural wall that will allow you to have a small private area, you should consider getting Thuja Green Giant. You might not know much about this tree, so you should click here to learn some basic information.
In addition, don’t forget to add some color. Yes, green is the color that should dominate the entire garden, but you can further improve it by incorporating some vibrant colors. If you don’t have a green thumb, meaning that gardening isn’t your strong suit, you can always go with some plants that do not require a lot of care.
